Photo: Getty Images
Body camera footage has been released of the wrongful detainment of two Black teenagers who were walking on a sidewalk.
Fort Bend County Sheriff's deputies were reportedly looking for two Black men who had allegedly committed an armed robbery in the area when they violently detained the teenagers without explanation.
Deputy Mason Koehler approached the teens, saying he wanted to "talk" and was giving them a "lawful order to stop." The two teens, knowing there was no legal basis for the order, continued to walk on the sidewalk, telling the deputy "That's no lawful order."
Koehler proceeded to grab one of the teens by the arm and drag him to the ground. The deputy sat on top of the 17-year-old as he handcuffed him along with two other officers.
“I’m just trying to talk to you,” Koehler said as he violently detained the teen. “If you would’ve listened to me.”
In body camera footage, Koehler never expressed any reasonable suspicion or probable cause that the teens had committed a crime to justify the detainment.
“When a law enforcement officer gives you an order to do something, you have to do that,” Koehler told the teen.
Koehler falsely accused the teens of running away from him and "fighting" him during the detainment, none of which was seen on body camera footage.
The deputy reportedly didn't have a clear description of the actual suspects before making the arrest.
“So right now, we’re just going to review something real quick on our video footage. And if we can, if we determine that you guys aren’t involved, guess what, you’re free to go,” Koehler said.
“And it could’ve been way easier if y’all would’ve just stopped and listened to me. You realize that right?” the deputy added. “This became so much more difficult because y’all just didn’t stop and listen. If you weren’t doing anything wrong, what’s it matter? If you guys knew you were doing nothing wrong, what’s it matter if you guys stop and talk to me?”
Another deputy later informed Koehler that the robbery suspect had "colored dreds," which didn't match the teens' hair.
The officers reportedly apologized and released the teens from custody following the incident.
In a statement, the Fort Bend Sheriff's Office said it was investigating the detainment.
"The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office expects professional demeanor from its employees. This incident will be investigated to determine the basis for taking the person into custody and any subsequent action. As soon as any determination is made, notice will be provided."
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