A viral TikTok video has ignited a firestorm of backlash against law enforcement officials in Lansing, Michigan, after officers were shown mistakenly arresting a Black teenager while he was innocently taking out the trash. The incident, captured in a 4-and-a-half-minute video shared on Thursday, August 10, has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
Posted by TikTok user @careyann327, the video portrays the distressing scene of a Black teenager being led away in handcuffs, while his father confronts the police officers. Though the audio in the video is mostly unintelligible due to the distance, it is evident that the father pleads for his son, describing him as a “perfect kid” and questioning why a young Black individual has to endure such traumatic encounters. In response, the police claim that the teenager “fit the description” of a suspect.
@careyann327
Kid taking out trash being harassed by police. Father defending his son. Wrong person.
♬ original sound – Talkingtom24🐺
The father’s frustration grows as he converses with the person filming the video, expressing how the incident traumatized his son over a routine task like taking out the garbage. The video has sparked a wave of outrage on social media platforms, with users expressing their anger and some even suggesting potential legal action against the police.
The video concludes with the police realizing their mistake and releasing the teenager.
Lansing Police Department Responds to the Outcry
In the wake of the intense online backlash, the Lansing Police Department issued a statement addressing the incident. The department acknowledges the “unfortunate understanding” surrounding the video, revealing that they had mistakenly arrested the Black teenager under the belief that he matched the description of a suspect involved in a series of car thefts in Michigan.
This city is paying 6 police officers to arrest a child for throwing out garbage.
— Frank Giugliano (@nyccookies) August 11, 2023
In a Facebook post published on Friday, the police department shared that at the time of the incident, the teenager was wearing attire that matched the suspect’s description provided by a witness. The department stated:
“On Thursday afternoon, our officers were investigating a string of Kia thefts, including a specific one reported on the 3600 block of W. Jolly Road with multiple suspects. A witness described a suspect as wearing neon shorts and a white shirt.”
The initial officer on the scene realized that the young man in the video was not the suspect they were pursuing and promptly released him. The department emphasized their commitment to community relations and expressed the desire to move past this unfortunate case of mistaken identity.
The incident has prompted conversations about the complexities of racial profiling, accountability in law enforcement, and the impact of such encounters on marginalized communities. As discussions continue, the need for ongoing efforts to ensure fair and unbiased treatment of all individuals remains a critical focus.
