Illinois Hospital Patient Goes On A Walk With IV, Gets Arrested And Alleges Race Played A Role

A black man claims he was racially profiled in a June 9 arrest when he stepped outside a northern Illinois hospital with an IV drip.

Shaquille Dukes, 24, had reportedly been admitted to Freeport Health Network Memorial Hospital for double pneumonia and also needed to receive treatment for asthma. While being treated, doctors recommended he walk around to help with his breathing.

After walking through the hospital, Dukes chose to step outside. However, Dukes was met by a security guard and the situation escalated as the guard called the Freeport Police Department. Dukes, who had an IV hooked to his arm, was subsequently arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and attempted theft of medical equipment.

The latter charge came about on Dukes' claims that the security guard believed Dukes was trying to steal and sell the IV on eBay. Dukes claimed the IV was removed by the officers and not a doctor when he was arrested.

CNN reported that Dukes said he had suffered an asthma attack while being taken into police custody. Dukes also alleges that the police took away his inhaler.

Dukes' arrest was caught on cellphone video and has over 100,000 views on Facebook.

Freeport Police released a statement that Dukes' IV had been removed by a Freeport Health Network employee at Dukes' request. Police also claim it was the employee who called them to report Dukes and the two other men for disorderly conduct, explaining the high number of officers present for the arrests.

All three men were released after being charged and Freeport Police have put in a request for an independent investigation after Dukes alleged, "unfair and biased conduct by responding officers."

There has been no comment from Freeport Health Network Memorial Hospital.