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A white police officer handcuffed a Black child outside his home in Michigan in what the Lansing Police Department called an “unfortunate case of ‘wrong place, wrong time.'” The incident was captured in a cellphone video that circulated on social media. The boy, identified as 12-year-old Tashawn Bernard, was approached by an officer while taking out the trash. After about three minutes, the officer removed the handcuffs and released him. The family’s lawyers stated that Tashawn is now traumatized and reluctant to go outside. The family is considering legal action. USA TOPNews.MEDIA reported
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The Lansing Police Department in Michigan has acknowledged that a white police officer mistakenly handcuffed a Black child outside his home, attributing it to an unfortunate case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The department released a statement on Facebook in response to a viral cellphone video showing the officer leading the boy, who had his hands cuffed behind his back, through an apartment complex parking lot. The officer had been searching for a suspect involved in a series of car thefts when he encountered the child.
The 12-year-old boy, identified as Tashawn Bernard, was taking out the trash when he was approached by the officer, who had his gun drawn. According to a family lawyer, the officer eventually removed the handcuffs and spoke with Tashawn before allowing him to join his father on the sidewalk. Tashawn’s father, Michael Bernard, became concerned when his son took longer than usual to complete the task and discovered him with handcuffs on, surrounded by police.
Tashawn’s family and their lawyers, Ayanna and Rico Neal, stated that he has been traumatized by the incident and no longer feels comfortable going outside. The police department released the statement in an effort to provide background information on the misunderstanding. They explained that a witness had described the suspect’s attire, leading an officer to stop the child, who was wearing a similar outfit. Once it was determined that he was not the suspect, the officer released him.
The Bernard family’s lawyers expressed disappointment in the lack of additional details provided by the police and stated that they are considering legal action, including the possibility of filing a lawsuit. This incident follows a similar case in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where police mistakenly punched a Black man whom they believed was involved in a hit-and-run crash. Investigations have been launched in both cases.
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In a regrettable incident labeled as being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the Lansing Police Department in Michigan has admitted that a Black child was mistakenly handcuffed by a white police officer outside his residence. The department responded to a viral video on social media, showing the officer leading the boy, whose hands were restrained behind his back, through the parking lot of an apartment complex. The officer had been in pursuit of a suspect involved in a series of car thefts when he encountered the child.
During a news conference held by the family and their legal representatives, the 12-year-old boy was identified as Tashawn Bernard. The encounter occurred while Tashawn was taking out the trash, and the officer approached him with his gun unholstered and in front of him, as reported by one of the family’s lawyers. After approximately three minutes, the officer removed the handcuffs and briefly conversed with Tashawn before allowing him to rejoin his father on the sidewalk.
Tashawn’s father, Michael Bernard, grew concerned when his son took longer than usual to complete the task and found him handcuffed with police officers nearby. The family’s lawyers, Ayanna and Rico Neal, stated that Tashawn has been traumatized to the extent that he no longer feels safe going outside.
In an effort to provide context and background information on the unfortunate misunderstanding, the police department released a statement. According to the department, a witness had provided a description of the suspect’s appearance, leading an officer to stop Tashawn, who was wearing a similar outfit. Once it became apparent that Tashawn was not the suspect, the officer promptly released him.
The Bernard family’s legal representatives expressed disappointment in the lack of additional information provided by the police, stating that they are exploring all legal options, including the potential filing of a lawsuit. This incident comes in the wake of a similar case in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where police mistakenly assaulted a Black man whom they believed to be connected to a hit-and-run incident. Internal investigations have been initiated in both instances..
