Nationwide — Tashawn Bernard, a 12-year-old African American boy from Lansing, Michigan, was reportedly handcuffed and put into a police car by mistake as he was taking out the trash at his home. The incident has led to a public outcry, forcing the police department to issue apologies.
According to ABC News, a police officer approached Tashawn with a gun drawn, believing he was connected to a series of car thefts. Shocking footage captured the scene as multiple officers and vehicles arrived at the scene, leading to a tense confrontation between Tashawn’s father, Michael, and the police.
The incident sparked outrage as it was shared on social media platforms, garnering over 3.5 million views within a day. The video shows Tashawn in handcuffs moments after discarding his trash.
As the situation unfolded, Tashawn’s father approached the scene, visibly concerned. The video didn’t capture all the audio clearly, but Michael could be heard expressing his frustration at what was happening.
Tashawn’s family attorney stated that the incident left the young boy traumatized, to the point where he now feels uncomfortable even going outside to get the mail.
The incident prompted a swift backlash, leading both the local police department and the mayor to issue statements expressing regret and providing an explanation for the mistaken detention.
According to the officials, Tashawn was thought to match the description of a suspect wearing neon green shorts and a white shirt. However, his family’s attorney disputed this, stating that Tashawn was actually wearing a grey shirt.
The Bernard family’s legal representatives are currently exploring their options, including the possibility of filing a lawsuit. They stated that they have not received any additional information from the police beyond what was seen on social media.
Later, Lansing Police Department released statements regarding the incident and suggested a “wrong place, wrong time” scenario, while a follow-up statement defended the arrest, emphasizing that it was an unfortunate misunderstanding. The police chief apologized for the impact the incident had on Tashawn and his family, urging the community to consider all the facts.
