The clinic has partnered with Emancipate North Carolina, a civil rights nonprofit based in Durham. 1331 . She was cruising northbound on Interstate 85 in her Toyota Sequoia. Bouk told her a cruiser pulled right beside her vehicle at one point during the pursuit and said she endangered a whole lot of people. Authorities indicated they also had their lights and sirens flashing as well. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), declined to comment to the Charlotte Observer, School board questions why payroll issue took so long to resolve, Taking them back: Alumni cherish photo project, Salisbury High assembly, Medical marijuana passes in NC senate, Ford votes no, John Carr: Post switching to mail delivery next week. She said she was driving to Raleigh for a funeral in May 2019 when she was pulled over for speeding and failing to heed to blue lights. They determined Bottom needed to be hospitalized. Smith pulled ahead of Bottom at one point and laid down a spike strip to flatten her SUVs tires. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Many people describe Scott Barkalow as someone who is willing to give anything to anyone, well now this US retired vet is on the receiving end of all the gifts. This mission encompasses functions of courthouse security, civil process, operation of detention facility, investigations and community patrol., Blotter: Man accused of armed robbery apprehended after short chase, Blotter: Victims in shooting discharged from hospitals, Monday morning car shooting leaves two hospitalized. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". Both the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department are named in the suit f iled in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. You turned it into this.. Jerry Barkai - Devin Barkalow. This is a military officer and this is a woman, the two pictures are saying. While state law allows people pictured in body camera videos to receive a copy, Rowan County government is prevented from releasing the video without a court order. Email her at natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com or call her at 704-797-4246. The officers knew it was a life or death situation. The suit says she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. He is expected to have his first court appearance Monday. She had to miss a significant amount of work. The officers pulled Bottom's arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. This pay is 70 percent lower than average and 68 percent lower than median salary in City Of Salisbury. According to the Post, the officers named in the suit have been identified as Devin Barkalow, Adam Bouk and Rowan County Sheriff's deputy Mark Benfield. Officers Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Deputy Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn. I like to get all sides of the story, so Im asking to see what led up to that, Black said. Stop Sticks, a brand name tire deflation device used by law enforcement agencies, were deployed at mile marker 87 about 14 miles away from where the chase started and near the point where I-85 splits into I-85 Business near the Davidson County Airport. The company's filing status is listed as Organized and its File Number is B101474. The video shows Salisbury Deputy Mark Benfield approaching Ms Bottom's car with his gun drawn before grabbing her hair and dragging her to the ground. The letter states, This week, we watched as a 2019 traffic stop video surfaced of officers from Rowan Countys Sheriffs Office and Salisbury Police Department using excessive force to arrest Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year-old Black librarian from Atlanta.. Regina Dancy said she debated speaking about the issue for fear shed be perceived as anti-police, which she emphasized she is not, or an angry Black woman speaking out against racial injustice. In the footage, Bottom is seen screaming as Benfield, Barkalow, and Salisbury Police Officer Adam Bouk force her to lay face down on the ground, according to the lawsuit. Press J to jump to the feed. Acting quickly, they reached forcombat arm tourniquets. His femoral arteries in both legs had been severed by the gunshots. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. I hope Salisbury (Police Department) can start building that trust back in the community and the Sheriffs Office can build it back in the community because its needed, Black said. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". I Feel So Violated: Wisconsin Car Salesman Urinates on Black Womans Drivers License She Left Behind After Test Drive, This You?: Twitter Calls Out Marjorie Taylor Greene for Ironically Saying People Should Respect Others With Different Views, Joy Reid Rips Apart Scott Adams As the Dilbert Cartoonist Doubles Down on Racist Comments. One of the officers was dismissed, and the Virginia attorney general launched a civil rights probe. Police say Sifford is facing multiple drug charges and was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Body camera footage showed Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow approaching Bottom's vehicle with guns drawn, then pulling her by the arm and hair from her vehicle to the ground. So this was very disruptive to her life in many ways.. Its not clear in incident reports why deputies otherwise searched her vehicle. He is a white male registered to vote in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. let's integrate. Derek Barkalow Found. ROWAN COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Salisbury police officers chased and shot the tires of a murder suspect's car during apursuit Friday, according to police. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Email him at ben.stansell@salisburypost.com. After Benfields initial attempt to pull Bottom over, a roughly 14-mile chase ensued and ended when law enforcement officers eventually flattening Bottoms tires in Davidson County, according to the incident report. Thats when she pulled over to the highways median. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. The report states Naves reviewed body camera footage. Saturday night. Linda McElroy, a spokeswoman for the city of Salisbury, wrote in an email to the Observer that the Salisbury Police always strives for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where we may suspect criminal activity.. Officers Benfield, Barkalow, and Adam Bouk then forced her arms behind her back, tearing her rotator cuff. The lawsuit comes as questions surrounding excessive and deadly force by police against Black people remain front and center this week after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd in Minneapolis and 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant was fatally shot during an altercation in Columbus, Ohio. Susan Lee said the lack of accountability is very concerning and violates community trust, adding that its chilling to think the same officers have been entrusted with local residents safety. Bottom sobbed as she sat on the ground at the side of the high gasping in pain. Mary Walker also denounced the incident depicted in body camera footage on behalf of Women for Community Justice. If you have trouble with any of the links above, please contact the user who provided them. Pretty soon, four male officers were involved in the chase. Former Salisbury Police Department officer Devin Barkalow, one of the officers identified in the lawsuit, declined to comment on the complaint, directing a reporter to the department. We expect complete transparency from law enforcement., Walker said the absence of reprimand only perpetuates the abuse of power that leaves us without justice.. Police then allegedly tore Bottoms rotator cuff as they detained her, shrieking, facedown on the pavement of the interstate. In a June 2019 review of the incident, Sgt. This salary is 20 percent higher than average and 23 percent higher than median salary in City of Salisbury. devin barkalow waiver sent on 4/28/2021, answer due 6/28/2021. "With each pump of his heart you could just see it coming out," Wilson added. Bottoms vehicle stopped on left shoulder after the tires deflated. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". He was sitting, leaning in front of this house, and he was screaming for help and we could see that he was covered from the waist down in dark blood.". As Bottom was unbuckling her seatbelt, Barkalow rushed in from the passengers side of the SUV and snatched the elderly woman out of the drivers seat by her hair, then slammed her to the pavement. Though Chief Jerry Stokes has done some good things, Sheffield said, theyre not evident in the overall culture being depicted. Bottom said she was listening to music loudly in her car and did not realize she was being pulled over, according to the lawsuit. Bottom said all of the arresting officers were white. An officer pulled alongside Bottom's SUV at one point during the chase and looked inside her vehicle. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, officers grabbed the by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. Bottom asks for a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. Relatives & Associates. Theres a fear that even while doing our very best to follow the law and mind our business, we can come across an officer who fails to see our humanity or value our lives. She later asked to be taken to the hospital and told a ranking police captain who arrived on scene that officers had broken her arm. Her lawyers claim the officers reckless actions aggravated an old injury and caused Bottoms shoulder to pop as the officers handcuffed her. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. I think we all kind of saw this case the same way, which is this was an egregious example of excessive force. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. Video shows officers pulling Bottoms arms behind her back. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. Adam Bouk of the Salisbury Police Department placed a handcuff on Bottom's left. The suit also maintains that officers had no probable cause and never asked for Bottoms consent to search her SUV or her purse, which was in the vehicle. OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW OFFICER ADAM BOUK CITY OF SALISBURY SHERIFF KEVIN AUTEN PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorney CURTIS SCOTT HOLMES Attorney at BROCK PAYNE & MEECE, PA 3130 Hope Valley Rd. When Bottom didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body. The presiding judge in the case is William L. Osteen, Jr. Bottom is represented in court by Scott Holmes of the North Carolina Central University Civil Litigation Clinic and Mance. In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives "for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.". Devin Barkalow is 36 years old, and lives in WI. So when things go wrong with the police, that is very often in the context of traffic stops.. Bailey reminded the public that the Salisbury Police Departments use of force policies are available on the citys website. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Incident reports show the chase occurred on May 30, 2019 when Rowan County Master Deputy Mark Benfield tried to stop Bottom around Julian Road for traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. The information viewed in the video from 2019 released by local media is not what we expect or will accept from our local law enforcement, she said. I work as a paramedic and people have literally brake checked us while going emergent. Bottom appeared befuddled at the officers aggressive response. Child Endangerment/abuse-non Serious Inj; Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow Of Air/Blood; Domestic Abuse Assault-Injury Or Mental Illness-1st. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Blotter: Man accused of armed robbery apprehended after short chase, Blotter: Victims in shooting discharged from hospitals, Monday morning car shooting leaves two hospitalized. There are no facts likely to emerge that warrant a 68 year old to be manhandled like that, fucking none. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. See the correctional supervision record for Kyle Devin Barkalow, who is or was recently under the supervision of the department of corrections in the state of Florida. In the footage, Bottom is seen screaming as Benfield, Barkalow, and Salisbury Police Officer Adam Bouk force her to lay face down on the ground, according to the lawsuit. Cutting over lanes to cut us off. The lawsuit obtained by The Washington Post, which was filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, accuses Salisbury officers Devin Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Rowan County Sheriff's deputy Mark Benfield of hurting the librarian so badly that she was forced to miss eight months of work. Bottom would later be charged with speeding, failure to heed to blue lights and resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer. The second officer at the scene, Devin Brosnan, faces an aggravated assault charge for allegedly standing on Brooks' shoulders in the parking lot. The suit says she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. Bottom claimed she was driving 70 mph or 75 mph with her music turned up so loudly that she couldnt hear the sirens. And the departments did not seem inclined to take action to hold these officers accountable. The lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the two officers who did this. I think that one of the main reasons we decided to get involved and impact litigation around traffic stops is that here, traffic stops are the main way that people interact with the police. Another officer involved in the traffic stop, only identified as Officer Smith, pulled ahead of Bottom and deployed spike strips that immediately immobilized her vehicle, the lawsuit says. This should anger all of us.. Librarian Sues Over How She Was Treated During Traffic Stop 847,182 views Apr 29, 2021 Body cam video of a 68-year-old Georgia librarian's encounter with police who handcuffed her on the side of. Elderly Black woman says police used excessive force during traffic stop. Bottom was not driving recklessly, she didnt lead officers on a high-speed chase, and she never intentionally tried to elude them, her attorneys contend. We dont have any information that they were sanctioned in any way, said Scott Holmes, an attorney representing Bottom and a professor at North Carolina Central Universitys School of Law Civil Litigation Clinic. Devin Barkalow M Overview. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. And they did their jobs while bullets were flying around them and a gunman was on the loose. Attorneys for Bottom released video to the Charlotte Observer. 2023001599. The Salisbury Police Department says the State Bureau of Investigation has declined to review the incident. Helping a Hero is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members. Bottom, now 68 years old, is a Black librarian. Dancy called on the officers to answer questions of why the excessive force was used and why they ignored Bottoms comment about a previous injury to her shoulder during the incident. 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