Man Claims That Phoenix Police Threatening To Shoot Him Stemmed From His Daughter Taking A Doll From A Dollar Store

Source: ABC 15

The man and his family are planning to file a lawsuit against the city of Phoenix for $10 million.

A video of Phoenix police officers threatening to shoot a man and his family has surfaced on social media, leading countless people to speak out against the officers' mistreatment against the family.

The video shows an exchange that occurred between Dravon Ames, his pregnant fiancée Iesha Harper, and their two children on May 29. In the video, officers can be heard cursing and screaming at Ames and Harper, who are inside of a car with their two children.

As one officer runs over to the car and yells "Get out the f**king car" while pointing his gun at the vehicle, another officer removes Ames from the car and moves him over to a parked cop car.

As the video continues on, another officer can be seen talking with Harper as she holds one of her children in her arms. Another officer walks up to Harper and points his finger at her before trying to snatch the 1-year-old away from her.

According to the Phoenix New Times, Ames said the incident stemmed from his other child walking out of a Family Dollar holding a doll from the store.

The Phoenix Police Department hasn't offered any additional information on the incident. But in a Facebook statement they confirmed that the interaction was prompted by a "shoplifting incident."

Since the incident, Ames and his family are planning to file a lawsuit against the city of Phoenix. The family, who is being represented by former Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne, is seeking $10 million in damages.

"The police officers committed battery, unlawful imprisonment, false arrest, infliction of emotional distress, and violation of civil rights under the fifth and 14th amendments of the United States Constitution," the claim states.

According to a separate report from ABC15 (KNXV-TV), the police officer who cursed and threatened Ames, as well as tried to take her daughter away from her, is on a "non-enforcement assignment." The other officer who pointed a gun at Harper and her children inside the vehicle remains on patrol.

Arizona Senator Martín Quezada and State Representative Isela Blanc tweeted about the video and criticized the Phoenix police officers for their handling of the situation.

Source: Phoenix New Times