PHOENIX — Phoenix’s police chief has publicly apologized to members of a family at whom police officers pointed guns and yelled profanities while responding to a report of shoplifting.
The parents say their 4-year-old daughter had stolen a doll from the store, unbeknownst to them. They have filed a $10 million claim against the city alleging civil rights violations by police officers.
EXCESSIVE FORCE? Video shows police in Phoenix, Arizona, threatening a pregnant mother and her two children after authorities feared she was reaching for a weapon; the family is now filing a $10 million legal claim against the city. @ztkiesch reports. https://t.co/ltgCZGB0VI pic.twitter.com/LVA3BdqbLy
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) June 16, 2019
A video released Friday shows police officers pointing guns and yelling profane commands to a father and a pregnant woman holding a baby.
CURRENT FACT SHEET SUMMARY OF PHOENIX POLICE RESPONSE TO SHOPLIFTING INCIDENT RESULTING IN OFFICERS BEING REMOVED FROM THE STREET AND ASSIGNED TO DESK DUTY: https://t.co/J0rnwiDCV5 pic.twitter.com/aFmpXky5ua
— Phoenix Police Department (@phoenixpolice) June 16, 2019
Police Chief Jeri Williams apologized to the family, community and public on Sunday at Phoenix TV station KTVK.
Williams added that an internal investigation is underway into the incident from late last month.
The Arizona family now plans to sue the Phoenix Police Department for $10 million.https://t.co/AELr9anYNF
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) June 16, 2019
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego posted an apology to the family on Twitter on Saturday.
