FLORIDA THERAPIST SHOT BY AN OFFICER WHILE TALKING TO AN AUSTIC PATIENT

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Schapiro, R. & Schapiro, R. (2016). Florida therapist sues officer who shot him. NY Daily News. Retrieved 4 August 2016, from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/florida-therapist-sues-officer-shot-article-1.2738652

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South Florida Therapist Sues Officer Who Shot Him Even Though He Was Unarmed, Says Civil Rights Were Violated

The unarmed black therapist who was lying on his back when he was shot by a Florida cop has filed a federal lawsuit. Charles Kinsey’s suit claims that North Miami SWAT Officer Jonathan Aledda violated his civil rights, used excessive force and carried out a false arrest, according to Miami News Time. Kinsey, 47, was shot July 18 while he was trying to subdue 26-year-old Arnold Rios, an autistic patient who was walking around North Miami streets carrying a toy truck. After cornering the pair, Aledda inexplicably squeezed off three rounds, even though Kinsey was lying on the ground with his hands in the air.

Summary

According to the suit filed to the U.S. Southern District of Florida on Wednesday, neither Mr Kinsey nor Mr Rios had posed a threat to any civilian, officer or to each other and none had committed a crime giving no warrant for Aledda to fire his weapon. Kinsey was shot once on his right leg and Rios was not shot or hurt. Aledda stated that he was trying to shoot Rios who was only holding a toy truck. The shooting probe has been turned to the house of the State’s attorney and the Department of Law Enforcement in Florida. Aledda shot the therapist while he had raised his hands and was unarmed and he explained that he was intending to shoot Rios. Aledda explained his action as, split-second decision in his work of saving lives and he explains his disregard of being painted as a person he is not. Loretta Lynch, the US Attorney General has said that inquiry about the incident is being launched by the Justice Department.