All Rights Reserved. When she came to a stop, she says cops rushed toward her with guns drawn. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". Officers with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Bottom, alleging she was driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the suit. She later had surgery for the injury, but it did not fully repair the shoulder, according to the lawsuit, and now there is permanent damage. The No. We found 15 records for Stephanie Monroe in Huntersville, Fayetteville and 12 other cities in North Carolina. (919) 682-1149, allegedly driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, The four officers involved in the incident, Durham DSS Slow to Reunify Kids with Families, Catch the Latest from Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, Join a Virtual Listening Session on the Harms of Solitary Confinement, RPD Releases Bodycam Footage of Darryl Williams Murder. Bottom sued on Wednesday alleging two separate violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, assault and battery, and a local statutory violation against Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. She also admits to going 10 miles over the speed limit, which was 70mph, meaning she was driving around 80mph. WebFOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA Civil Action No. The officers pulled Bottoms arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. Its unclear how close police were to Bottoms vehicle before she pulled over, as the footage only shows the inside of the police vehicle and the sky. She says that when she requested medical assistance, approximately an hour elapsed before officers called for help. Millions of Americans are being kept in the dark about toxic trains rumbling through their neighborhoods as railroad companies refuse to disclose which carry hazardous loads. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. Top Indian judges to get treatment at luxury hotel amid d 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Mike McCarthy shreds ex-Cowboys coordinator after firing, Family raises 250-pound 'dog' for 2 years then realizes it's a bear, 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards: Lana Del Ray, Kim Petras, & more, RHOA star Drew Sidora accuses ex Ralph Pittman of cheating, mental abuse, Original Gone With The Wind script reveals secret war over slavery, cut scenes, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, Kanye West and 'wife' Bianca Censori look surprisingly happy on dinner date. The police department in Salisbury said they would not comment when contacted by Inside Edition. After the search, officers told Bottom to stand, but she said she couldnt due to the pain in her shoulder, according to the suit. 2023 Cable News Network. Bottom was driving from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend her aunts funeral. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. [Law enforcements] decision ultimately to release her to medical care, instead of keeping her in police custody, demonstrates that he initial decision to take her into custody was unreasonable.. Stephanie Bottom (AP) RALEIGH, N.C. A federal lawsuit filed by a Georgia librarian says white officers used excessive force on the Black woman during a In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives "for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.". A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. STEPHANIE BOTTOM: Defendant: DEPUTY MARK BENFIELD, OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW, OFFICER ADAM BOUK, CITY OF SALISBURY, SHERIFF KEVIN During this time, Bouk is heard on the body camera footage saying, "That's good police work baby" to other officers, according to the suit. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. After the search, officers told Bottom to stand, but she said she couldn't due to the pain in her shoulder, according to the suit. I did nothing wrong.. Officers had their sirens on for at least 10 minutes, according to body camera footage that is cited in the lawsuit and was reviewed by CNN. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. I was getting ready to die. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- A University of North Carolina student used some area knowledge to advance in Jeopardy's High School Reunion Tournament. Black librarian Stephanie Bottom pulled by hair, injured by police in Salisbury, North Carolina, lawsuit says. Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed. One of the officers was heard bragging about grabbing a handful of dreads, saying at that point she earned it on body camera footage. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes The just-released body cam video Meanwhile, the Salisbury Police Department did not comment on the pending litigation but stated that it strives for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where we may suspect criminal activity., Get the Latest Black News and Press Releases In Your Email FREE, Your Phone Number: WebStephanie Smith is a student in the MBA program at North Carolina Central University . The injury reportedly kept the now-68-year-old woman out of work for eight months and left her shaking in fear, she said. Nationwide Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year old Black woman from Raleigh, North Carolina, has filed a lawsuit claiming that police officers used excessive force on her during a traffic stop two years ago that caused her severe injuries. She pleads for help, saying she has an injured shoulder. During this time, Bouk is heard on the body camera footage saying, "That's good police work baby" to other officers, according to the suit. Emailus. of Idaho. 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Officers with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office and the Salisbury Police Department were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Bottom, alleging she was driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the suit. 8. I was just driving, Bottom says. The actions of officers who abuse their power makes it hard for individuals to trust law enforcement. Unprofessional conduct, inappropriate comments, and excessive force use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. Here's why. Bottom was peaceful at all times, and officers knew they were dealing with an elderly woman. All Rights Reserved. She appeared in court for the traffic violations, pleaded responsible to failure to heed blue lights, and the other charges against her were dismissed, according to the lawsuit. WebStephanie Bottom is a 68-year-old black woman who is suing the North Carolina police for using excessive force during a traffic stop in May 2019. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. Bottom says. Bottom had surgery for her injury, but is no longer able to raise her left arm above her head according to the suit. 'Thats good police work, baby,' an officer involved in the stop can be heard saying later on the body camera footage. Born in North Carolina, Chef Tyson spent countless hours dreaming of leaving for the bright lights of anywhere else. Stephanie Bottom, of Atlanta, Georgia, was driving to the funeral of her great aunt in May 2019 when she was seen by police allegedly going 80mph in a 70mph On Wednesday, April 21, Bottom filed a federal lawsuit against In her lawsuit, Bottom allegestwo separate violations of the 4th and 14th Amendments, as well as assault and battery. Ms. Bottom wasn't even arrested.'. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. Emancipate NC attorney Ian Mance is representing Bottom in a lawsuit seeking damages for excessive force, co-counseling with the Civil Clinic at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Durham, NC 27702 The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. It was a simple traffic stop, an officer tells Bottom. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes told CNN on Tuesday. Click a location below to find Stephanie more easily. Within seconds of arriving at her drivers side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. 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