Led by Attorney Ayanna D. Neal, Grewal Law PLLC is representing Tashawn Bernard in a lawsuit filed against the City of Lansing, former Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee, and Officers Pulver and Meyers. The lawsuit stems from the wrongful detainment of Tashawn in August 2023 after he was incorrectly identified as a car-theft suspect. Despite Tashawn being only 12 years old at the time, the officers drew their firearms, handcuffed him, and placed him into the back of a squad car while his father was kept separate from him.
In the complaint, Attorney Neal argues that the officers’ actions violated Tashawn’s constitutional rights and other rights granted by the State of Michigan and through common law.
Among the 11 offenses listed in the complaint are:
- Unreasonable search and seizure
- False arrest
- Negligence
- Assault and battery
- Excessive force
- Failure to train and supervise officers
The incident unfolded when Tashawn was taking out the trash at his family’s home when an officer approached him with his hand on his service weapon. Tashawn was wearing a gray shirt, but the police were told to look for a suspect wearing white. Despite this important detail and the lack of any evidence of wrongdoing by Tashawn, Officers Pulver and Meyers still forcibly detained him.
Our legal team asserts that the incident has caused Tashawn to suffer from:
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety
- Fright
- Shock
- Embarrassment
- Humiliation
- Mortification
- Psychological and emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress
- Physical pain and suffering
We are demanding a jury trial to seek damages and equitable and injunctive relief for Tashawn and his family for having to endure the trauma and hardships caused by the wrongful detainment. The City of Lansing has yet to give an official public response to the legal action. No matter what the response, though, Attorney Neal and our team will be ready to do whatever we can to fight for justice for the Bernard family.
You can learn more about this ongoing case by clicking here and viewing a full article recently posted by Lansing State Journal. If you want to know more about Grewal Law PLLC, or if you need our help with a civil lawsuit – like a personal injury claim or civil rights claim – in Michigan, you can call (888) 211-5798 and request a free case consultation.
