Michigan officials apologise after wrongly arresting 12-year-old Black boy in ‘unfortunate’ incident
The mayor and law enforcement officials in Lansing, Michigan are apologising to the family of a 12-year-old Black boy who was wrongfully arrested as a suspected car thief. Viral footage of the boy’s arrest on 10 August while he was taking out the trash from his home shows a white officer leading the boy through a parking lot with his hands cuffed behind his back. A lawyer representing the family told the Associated Press that the boy was initially approached by an officer with an unholstered gun “and was holding it in front of him”. The footage shows a man identified as the boy’s father, Michael Bernard, approaching the officer as the boy is brought to a patrol car and placed in the rear seat. Roughly three minutes into the video, officers remove the cuffs and walk him towards his father. “They trauamtised my son,” Mr Bernard can be heard saying in the video. The first of a series of statements issued by the Lansing Police Department called the incident an “unfortunate misunderstanding”. A second statement said the boy was released to his father “when eliminated as the accused.” Officials said that the boy was wearing the same clothes as a suspect in a vehicle theft investigation. “It’s unfortunate that incidents like this occur but through communication and sharing of information, we can help people understand the whole story. We understand that something like this has an impact on all parties involved,” Lansing police chief Ellery Sosobee said in the statement. “As the Chief of Police, I want to apologize that this incident had such an effect on this young man and his family,” he added. “I’m asking for the community to consider all the facts of the situation before making a judgment.” A statement from Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said police “made a mistake in detaining the wrong person during a vehicle theft investigation.” “I join Chief Sosebee in offering my apologies to the young man and to his family,” he added. Police remain “in contact” with the boy’s family and are “providing resources and support for any trauma” as a result of the incident, according to the mayor’s office. “Our officers do their absolute best to protect Lansing, but in this case a mistake was made and we own it and apologise to those affected,” he said. “As mayor, I once again offer my sincere apology to this young man.” Lawyers for the boy’s family are “exploring all legal options” including a potential lawsuit, attorneys Ayanna and Rico Neal said during a virtual press conference. The incident comes as the Detroit Police Department faces heightened scrutiny after a series of wrongful arrests of Black residents who were incorrectly targeted by facial recognition technology. Read More A Black woman says she was wrongly arrested at eight months pregnant. She’s suing over ‘mistaken’ face ID tech
2023-08-13 05:25
How is Kevin Costner moving on? 'Yellowstone' actor's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner finds happiness after vacating the house
'Christine [Baumgartner] is following the legal advice per the prenup and is vacating the family house,' said a source
2023-08-13 04:55
Sho-Who? Matt Olson continues MVP charge to take HR lead
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson took the MLB home run lead away from Shohei Ohtani on Saturday afternoon.Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani spent most of the season taking the lead for the American League MVP award and essentially running away with it. He has done so by pitchi...
2023-08-13 04:52
Who is Gabriel Caswell? Texas animal shelter employee arrested for torturing and killing kittens at his job
Initially the deaths of kittens were considered to be disease-related but testing results on multiple specimens found no sign of disease
2023-08-13 04:52
The role Harry Kane played as Bayern Munich lose German Super Cup
Harry Kane made his Bayern Munich debut from the bench as they were beaten 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup.
2023-08-13 04:48
Dixon holds off hard-charging Rahal to win Indianapolis GP on record-breaking day
The Iceman became the Ironman of IndyCar
2023-08-13 04:45
Hawaii has a robust emergency siren warning system. It sat silent during the deadly wildfires
Some Maui residents are questioning the effectiveness of the emergency warning system employed as the wildfires spread rapidly across Lahaina and other parts on Tuesday. Hawaii's attorney general is leading a review of the emergency response.
2023-08-13 04:26
Final Four: Australia makes it through to Women's World Cup semifinals seeking history for Matildas
There will be a first-time winner of the Women’s World Cup this year
2023-08-13 04:25
Trump election investigation in Georgia headed to grand jury next week
By Joseph Ax A Georgia prosecutor probing whether Donald Trump and his allies illegally sought to overturn the
2023-08-13 04:23
NBA rumors: Grading blockbuster trades for Joel Embiid, Zion Williamson, Damian Lillard
It's the NBA offseason, which also means fake trade season. Let's grade a juicy slate of blockbuster proposals.We have arrived at the uncomfortable portion of the NBA offseason when nothing much is happening. Free agency is all but over, the trade chatter has slowed to a maddening craw...
2023-08-13 03:50
NFL-Bills' Damar Hamlin plays in first game since January cardiac arrest
Damar Hamlin competed in the Buffalo Bills' preseason opener on Saturday, marking the safety's first taste of competitive
2023-08-13 03:48
Camp Pendleton Marine questioned about girl found in barracks faces charge in different case
A US Marine who was questioned last month about a once-missing teenage girl found in his barracks has now been charged in an earlier, unrelated case, according to an update from the 1st Marine Logistics Group.
2023-08-13 03:48
