In a disturbing incident in Indianapolis, Jason Harrell, the owner of Jay Harrell Plumbing and a local pastor, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old boy named Jordan for riding his bike in their neighborhood, Heatherwood Estates.
The event was captured on CCTV footage, which shows Harrell confronting Jordan while driving a white van. Harrell, visibly upset, was heard expressing frustration about the boy’s biking habits in the area. Despite Jordan’s attempts to apologize and de-escalate the situation, Harrell physically assaulted him, pushing him to the ground and punching him in the face. The video footage reveals Harrell shouting, “stay out of (the) road or I’ll kill you,” during the altercation.
Jordan, who was wearing a helmet, sustained a busted lip from the attack. Harrell was subsequently charged with Intimidation with a threat to commit a forcible felony and two counts of battery resulting in bodily injury, both classified as Class A misdemeanors.
The boy’s mother, Britney Schwitzke, shared the video on her social media, condemning Harrell’s actions. She stated, “This grown a** man in our neighborhood Heatherwood Estates assaulted Jordan today for riding his bike in the neighborhood. His company is Jay Harrell’s plumbing and he’s supposed to be a pastor. His wife Tami Harrell (Long) works for the city and has threatened to hit him with her car before.” She also noted that Harrell was arrested before her husband, Tyler, could return home.
Harrell’s LinkedIn profile describes him as a co-founder of the Church Without Walls, an evangelist, and a comedian, alongside his plumbing business which he started in 2019. The incident has led to a significant backlash against Harrell’s business, with numerous negative reviews flooding his Yelp page. One review states, “Terrible human being. I wouldn’t be anywhere near this person, especially if you have children. He bullies and beats little boys, got arrested for it. Take your business elsewhere.”
This case has sparked discussions on community safety, the responsibilities of public figures, and the protection of youth from violence. Updates on the legal proceedings and community reactions will follow as this story develops.