A Houston father has filed a formal complaint with the state of Texas, claiming that officers endangered his life and that of his young son during a mistaken arrest at a northwest Houston apartment complex. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, alleges that members of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force used excessive force against him, all while he was carrying his toddler. The officers reportedly mistook the father for a fugitive they were searching for in the area.
Incident Details and Initial Encounter
According to the father, he was simply enjoying a day out with his young son, carrying him through the complex, when he came into contact with the officers. The officers were reportedly on-site to apprehend a wanted individual, and apparently assumed that the father matched the description of the fugitive. As the father and son passed by the officers, he claims he smiled and waved at them, unaware of any imminent danger.
He recounts that without warning, officers approached him from behind. The father described feeling hands grab him and guns pressed against his back. As he tried to hold on to his son, officers allegedly yanked at the boy’s legs, causing the toddler to cry out in distress. The father states that his heart dropped and he felt an overwhelming sense of panic, fearing for both his own safety and that of his child.
Physical Assault and Fear for His Child’s Safety
Once he was restrained, the father says the officers demanded he get on the ground, with guns still pointed at him. He claims that they proceeded to throw him down, kick him, and continue to keep firearms aimed at him, which he believes was a deliberate attempt to intimidate and instill fear. He further asserts that the officers treated him with excessive force and that the entire incident was unprofessional. The father was horrified to see his son taken from him and was told that the boy could potentially be placed in Child Protective Services (CPS) custody. He recalls the officers allegedly saying his son was being sent to CPS, leaving him even more distressed.
The father also described the damage to his cell phone during the incident, stating that when officers threw him to the ground, the screen of his phone cracked, an additional symbol of what he describes as excessive force. He states that throughout the ordeal, his thoughts were on his son and the traumatic experience his child was undergoing.
Neighbor’s Video Captures the Incident
Fortunately for the father, a neighbor was able to record the incident on video, capturing what he describes as the officers’ use of force against both him and his toddler. The video has been pivotal in backing up his claims and, according to the father, serves as proof of how the officers treated him and his child. The footage, he claims, clearly shows the officers’ aggressive actions and the unnecessary trauma inflicted on his son.
No Apology and Ongoing Legal Actions
After the father was detained, handcuffed, and fingerprinted, the officers reportedly realized their mistake and released him within thirty minutes, acknowledging that he was not the man they were looking for. Despite this, the father states that he has not received an apology from the officers or their department for the incident. He believes the lack of an apology reflects their view that he does not deserve any acknowledgment or reparations for their mistake.
Following the incident, the father filed a formal complaint against the officers involved, urging that they face disciplinary action for their actions. He, along with his lawyer, demands accountability, insisting that the officers’ conduct was not only excessive but could have had deadly consequences. His complaint calls for the officers to be held responsible for their actions, and he is advocating for changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The U.S. Marshals Office has not provided an official comment on the matter, citing their policy not to discuss ongoing litigation. However, the father and his lawyer remain resolute in pursuing justice, emphasizing that such incidents should never happen to anyone, especially not to an innocent parent with a young child.
In the wake of the event, the father continues to speak out about the incident, hoping to raise awareness about what he describes as a deeply traumatizing experience for both him and his child. He expresses gratitude for the neighbor’s recording, as he believes it not only confirms his side of the story but also highlights the need for accountability and reform in law enforcement practices.
