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Can You Sue the Police for Stopping You With Guns Drawn

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  • 05-08-2015, 01:52 AM
    Nate Sheller
    Can You Sue the Police for Stopping You With Guns Drawn
    question relates to legal practice in the state of: ohio

    Recently I was nearly jumped by a few guys, one of which lives just six houses away from me. I avoided them by stepping into a driveway where a bystander was in the garage and could see me. The guys in the car trying to jump me parked at the house by mine where one of the individuals lives. I called 911, and waited as the police pulled up to the guy's house. I was still on the phone with the dispatch officer, who instructed me to continue walking towards my house. Still in fear of the situation, I cut through some back yards trying to remain unseen from the arrests being made. I informed the dispatch officer of my location more than once. All was going very well until I emerged from behind the houses across the street from my house, at which point I was now in view of the officers and one of the guys saw me. Out of fear I picked my pace to a jog across the street to my front door. I did not notice until I reached my front porch that I had several officers sprinting towards me with their guns drawn. They told me to get on the ground, which I did. My sixteen year old brother saw this happen from the window on our front door. He opened it and one officer pointed his gun at him and told him to get inside. After searching me and looking at my phone they saw I was the one that called.

    Before all of this I had dealt with panic attacks regarding death, but since this incident they have grown unbearable. I am not sleeping at night and it is greatly decreasing the quality of my life. It has impacted my work performance, my school performance, and my overall attitude towards life. I no longer leave my house out of fear of not returning. Nearly getting jumped doesn't bother me as much as the officers pointing their guns at me. With all of the controversy in the news about officers killing innocent people because of these "shoot first, ask questions later" policies, I fear ever leaving my house again. Even the ones who are supposed to be there to protect me are aiming weapons at me. The sheriff told me they don't get paid enough not to go home at night, but neither do I. I don't get paid at all to have guns pointed at me. I have been trying to get ahold of a therapist to help with the negative emotional consequences of this experience, but until then I am still in constant fear of losing my life.

    Does anyone have any advice on the situation? I feel the officers should not have been so quick to aim at me. What if they did mistakenly kill me? Now I am left with this nightmare constantly replaying in my head. Is a lawsuit a possibility?
  • 05-08-2015, 02:27 AM
    cdwjava
    Re: Cops Pointing Guns at Me
    The officers were there on a report of a fight, mugging, or some other violent act. You were walking through backyards. The police either observed you or were alerted to your location by concerned residents and approached with what they likely felt was appropriate discretion and with their weapons drawn. After detaining you, they managed to identify that you were the complainant and not a suspect. This is how it works sometime. It's not like you had a great glowing halo over you that identified you as a good guy or victim.

    If this is causing you added anxiety, about all we can suggest s that you get in to see your therapist ASAP. Perhaps he can help you cope with this anxiety. I am sorry that this has caused you anxiety, but, I suspect that this condition existed long before the police showed up.

    Oh, and there is not and never has been a "shoot first, ask questions later" policy. Anywhere.
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