Her attorneys said she had to foot the bill for medical treatments, repairs to her SUV and was left to grapple with the emotional fallout of her encounter. When Bottoms 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 . And if the two concepts seem to conflict -- well, yes, they sometimes do, but Carol Barkalow, 31, wants you to know . The other officers named in the suit are Adam Bouk, a sergeant for the Salisbury Police Department, and Mark Benfield, who is listed in the Rowan County Sheriffs Office directory as a master deputy. The first cop seems to understand that this is an older lady and doesn't seem to present an immediate threat. According to the complaint, Bottom was unarmed and posed no threat. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Barkalow, declined to comment, but said he no longer works for the police department. She had her hands up and was attempting to exit the vehicle, but it was difficult to do so quickly because of her age and medical conditions. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. An internal investigation is pending. I am exhausted with seeing Black bodies abused, tortured and sometimes killed by police officers for minor traffic infractions or other incidents that should not end in death, Dancy said. As for the other demands, Black said he thinks those could be delivered upon easily. Officers Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Deputy Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn. SALISBURY, NC (WBTV) - Two Salisbury police officers were honored as lifesavers for their work in saving a man who had been shot twice and was bleeding to death. This case was filed in Seminole County Courts, Not Classified By Court located in Seminole, Florida. OMONOMBE, YVINCE WA YEMA. As Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. Paramedics were eventually called to the scene. 2151 KEOKUK ST #14. The suit says Bottoms injuries required surgery that did not fully repair the shoulder and that she feared the police and did not want to pull over on the side of the interstate. 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. She had to be hospitalized and undergo surgery for a torn rotator cuff. The officers knew it was a life or death situation. 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. Despite that, authorities felt justified in threatening deadly force and physically assaulting the woman because she didnt pull over in a timely manner. 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 suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". Devin Barkalow is 36 years old and was born on 07/30/1985. 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. We as a council have to say more than, be patient. We have to say more than let the process play out. 'White privilege and entitlement:' NC city official fired after refusing to address woman by doctoral title. Barkalow and another Salisbury officer, Bottom claims they . In the suit, Bottom says law enforcement officers used excessive force, drew their guns during the stop, pulled her out of the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". I also felt horror, humiliation and sadness.. Bouk yelled that theyd been following her trying to get her to stop for over 10 miles. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. 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. There are no facts likely to emerge that warrant a 68 year old to be manhandled like that, fucking none. [After this point is the edit]: Also its easy to say in pretty much every situation that theres got to be a better way to handle this because its true; but we have time to observe and think without the consequences of being there in person. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. SALISBURY Local residents expressed anger and called for transparency from city leaders and local law enforcement officers Tuesday regarding a 2019 traffic incident thats the center of a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force. Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, World of Barbie to open next month at Santa Monica Place, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. The Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriffs Office could not be reached for comment by publication time. After a short vehicle chase, police say they shot Sifford'stires until he crashed in front of a home on E. Lafayette Street. So this was very disruptive to her life in many ways.. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. 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. Ms. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. Stephanie Bottom was making the six-hour trek from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend her aunts funeral. Officer Devin Barkalow then bragged about grabbing a "handful of dreads," and said "at that point she earned it," the lawsuit says, quoting the bodycam audio. Theyre so disturbing. Bottom, who did not immediately realize police wanted her to stop, was looking for a safe place to pull over when police used spike strips to stop her SUV. Officers Benfield, Barkalow, and Adam Bouk then forced her arms behind her back, tearing her rotator cuff. 68-year-old woman claims she was thrown to the ground by police for speeding 13,595 views Apr 23, 2021 A 68-year-old librarian is suing the City of Salisbury and the Rowan County Sheriff's. "That was very disturbing . I'm a diabetic and having high or low sugar around police is a scary thought. Whitney Peckman criticized local law enforcement for stating they want a good community relationship but choosing to gloss this over by hiding information about the incident until media reports. Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year-old from Georgia, filed a federal lawsuit in North Carolinas Middle District about her treatment at the end of a 14-mile chase involving local law enforcement officers on Interstate 85 in 2019. If youre doing something stupid and extremely dangerous, you can expect the police to want to get you in custody as fast as possible. Officers with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Bottom, alleging she was driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the suit. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Devin Barkalow, declined to comment to the Charlotte Observer but no longer works for the police department. Stop Sticks, a tire deflation device, were deployed and punctured Bottoms tires, forcing her to pull over on the shoulder of the road near the point where I-85 splits into I-85 Business near the Davidson County Airport. against her in a 2019 traffic stop, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement agencies. 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.". Mike Colvin and Detective Devin Barkalow, are now on administrative duty. "There is some good news with this, even though what they did was horrible," Barkalow . Four law enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player, ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. I know that they leave their homes every shift not knowing if they will make it back safely., She continued, But this evening, I am an angry Black woman. Bottom is suing the city of Salisbury, two of the citys police officers and a Rowan County sheriffs deputy who were involved in the May 30, 2019 incident. Bottom is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com. The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP listed five demands to the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan Sheriffs Office in a letter that was published on its Facebook page Saturday night. She also recommended watching the film Driving While Black.. Black said he has not yet received any communication back about the letter, but mentioned that it was only sent out on Saturday. She joined the staff in January 2020 after graduating from Louisiana State University, where she was editor of The Reveille newspaper. Those we have entrusted to keep us safe. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. 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. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. 2023001600. contact info. Black said the Salisbury-Rowan NAACPs legal redress committee came together to craft the wording and demands made in the letter after analyzing the available camera footage of the incident. While her attorneys have not returned requests for comment from the Post, the Associated Press quoted Ian Mance, an attorney for Emancipate NC, as saying, Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed.. Instead, the officers decided to issue a criminal summons for her to appear in court at a later date. attempted to drive around the Stop Sticks that were used to deflate her tires. Saturday night. Benfield opened the drivers side door and commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times, an incident report states. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. Bottom is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. Ummm dont think there are usually like a dozen police cars for a traffic stop obviously something else is going on here. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". The incident report describes one point during the chase where Master Deputy M. Smith sped up beside Bottoms vehicle and saw her put her hand up in a manner that suggested she didnt care or was not sure what was going on.. Detective Barkalow is currentlyworking in an undercover capacity and was not available for an interview or picture. A Salisbury police officer involved in the stop bragged about grabbing a handful of dreads, and said at that point she earned it,' the lawsuit said, citing footage from the officers body camera. Constitutional carry bill aims to eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. 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. They determined Bottom needed to be hospitalized. 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 camera that Bottom was a "f**king retard" and a "douche bag," according to the body camera footage. Bottom pleaded guilty to failing to heed blue lights. Other sheriffs deputies and police officers joined the chase before a tire deflation device was used near Davidson County Airport. Among other things, the report states Bottom: failed to stop for blue lights and sirens for about 14 miles and through two counties, simply threw her hands into the air when a uniformed officer pulled along side of her and motioned for her to pull over.. She is requesting a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages and the costs of court and attorney fees to be covered. Look at the tires in the beginning. But she added the data showing Black and brown individuals are disproportionately subject to police violence cannot be overlooked. She also said she was playing loud music in her car and didnt realize police were trying to stop her. Real social injustice exists and you are prolonging any chance of a solution by floating this crap. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Alexander agreed with discussing use of force policies, but reminded the public that the incident happened two years ago and city council members are unsure at this time if something had been done to address the issue already. 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. 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. . A sheriffs office report from 2019 says the incident occurred at 8:16 p.m. on May 30 near mile marker 74 on Interstate 85. Youre going to jail now, the policeman responded. 1331 . 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. Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed. ): Spencer D. Matthews, 39, Daytona Beach, habitual driving . Child Endangerment/abuse-non Serious Inj; Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow Of Air/Blood; Domestic Abuse Assault-Injury Or Mental Illness-1st. Cars are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, and just in general. 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 . 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, The incident report states Benfield commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times. Body camera footage. His femoral arteries in both legs had been severed by the gunshots. Bouk told other officers thats good police work, baby even as Bottom continued to complain about her shoulder. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. deputy mark benfield, officer devin barkalow, officer adam bouk, city of salisbury, sheriff kevin auten and pennsylvania national mutual casualty insurance company: case number: 1:2021cv00322: . Bottom, now 68 years old, is a Black librarian. Devin Barkalow M Overview. Like the officers who leave their home not knowing if they will safely return, many of us feel the exact same way every single day. Her attorneys argue the officers didnt give the elderly woman enough time to exit her vehicle and acted recklessly by forcibly removing her. We need law enforcement to serve and protect. "It means a lot, but at the same time it's not really necessary, I was just doing my job," Wilson said. Council members David Post and Brian Miller agreed with the request for data and information about use of force policies, but neither saw a need for a separate public meeting apart from a regular council meeting. He was uninjured in the incident. Shouldnt have been stupid. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. If you walk outside and point an airsoft gun at a cop you are virtually commuting suicide, because they dont have time to determine the lethality of the situation and your intentions. Its not like the cop decided that they wanted the hair because it would be more aggressive, theyre just grabbing her and getting her out of the vehicle to detain her as fast as possible. 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. Officers Barkalow and Bouk picked up by her arms, inflicting additional pain to her shoulder, forced her to stand and put her in the back of a patrol car, according to the lawsuit. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, former Salisbury Police Department officer Devin Barkalow, declined to talk about the complaint, referring a reporter to the department. It was my understanding that they are taught to be observant of people. Bottoms lawsuit indicates Barkalow also aimed his weapon at her. She appeared in court for the traffic violations, pleaded responsible to failure to heed blue lights, and the other charges against her were dismissed, according to the lawsuit. "We examined his legs and realized that both femoral arteries had been lacerated from the gunshot wounds. The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP listed five demands to the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan Sheriffs Office, in a letter that was published on its Facebook page. Two Salisbury Police officers honored for life-saving actions, N.C. What have I done wrong? Bottom cried out, growing increasingly incredulous. 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. He is a white male registered to vote in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Represented By. 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