Unarmed Behavioral Therapist Sues Police Officer That Shot Him

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Summary: Charles Kinsey has filed a federal lawsuit against the Florida police officer who shot him while his hands were up.

In a move that surprises no one, the black therapist shot while his hands were up is suing.

  

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• Related: Unarmed Black Therapist Shot While Lying on Ground with Hands up

According to the Miami New Times, Charles Kinsey filed a federal lawsuit this week against the cop who shot him. He said that North Miami SWAT Officer Jonathan Aledda violated his civil rights by using excessive force and putting him on false arrest.

On July 18, Kinsey attempted to retrieve an autistic patient who had escaped his therapy center. The patient had been carrying a toy truck, and someone had called 911, stating that a suicidal man was wandering the streets with a gun. Police arrived, and Kinsey laid on the ground with his hands up while his patient sat next to him, continuing to play. Kinsey yelled to the officers that he was a behavioral therapist with a patient, but to his surprise, he was shot in the leg anyway.

A bystander captured Kinsey lying on the ground, telling the police not to shoot. According to the lawsuit, the police were close enough to hear him and one officer even said into the police radio, “It’s a truck. He’s saying it’s a toy truck.”

• Related: Minnesota Governor Said Philando Castile Shooting was Race-Related 

After the mishap went viral, Aledda was portrayed not as a racist but more of a fool. A police union rep said that he was not trying to shoot Kinsey, but the autistic man instead.

Aledda released his own statement that he was forced to make a quick decision.

“I took this job to save lives and help people,” Aledda said. “I did what I had to do in a split second to accomplish that and hate to hear others paint me as something I’m not.”

Kinsey is seeking a trial and undisclosed damages.

Do you think Kinsey will win his lawsuit? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: New York Daily News

Photo courtesy of Miami Herald