Home invasionDamage to propertyExcessive forcePhysical forceGunAssault or battery to an officer charges
Plaintiff:
Joyce Woldemariam
Incident date:
10/29/2011
Location:
12800 S. Emerald Ave.
Allegations:
Woldemariam was hosting a birthday party at her home on South Emerald Avenue. The family had hired a DJ, who brought a group of uninvited guests. As the party was coming to an end, a few of these uninvited guests went outside and one of them called the police. When officers arrived, they ordered everyone to go outside and stand on the front lawn. Two of the officers, one male and one female, grabbed Woldemariam by her arms and the female officer kicked the back of her legs to force her into a kneeling position. Woldemariam asked to speak to a police supervisor and the male officer responded by hitting her in the ribs with the butt of a gun. One of the officers pushed her up against a squad car and handcuffed her. Then officers put her into a squad car and drove her to a nearby parking lot. At the same time, officers who were still at the party searched her home, damaging Woldemariam's property. Officers arrested her son and six party guests and charged them with battery because a fight broke out between them and the DJ's uninvited guests. Woldemariam was later driven home and released from custody without charges.The other charges filed against the party guests were later dismissed as well.