Cop Handcuffs then Tasers Mentally Disabled High School Student for Being Tardy
TheFreeThoughtProject.com
October 2, 2016
BAKERSFIELD, CA (CN) — Police violence against young black men is not confined to the streets, a high school student says in a lawsuit claiming a school police officer Tasered him twice for being late to class after having an anxiety attack.
Tyson Reed and his mother, Linda Reed, sued Kern High School District, KHSD Officer Luis Pena, and teacher Brett Bonetti on Sept. 22 in Kern County Superior Court, alleging disability discrimination and civil rights violations.
“Schools are supposed to be safe places for kids,” the Reeds’ Los Angeles-based attorney Shawna Parks told Courthouse News. “This case demonstrates how quickly it can go horribly wrong when schools don’t follow proper protocol” for students with disabilities.
Parks said Reed was attacked primarily because of his disability, but his race was likely a “determining factor” as well.
“Talk about the quickest way to shut down a kid’s interest in learning,” she said. “It’s not the kind of atmosphere you want in a school.”
Kern High School District spokeswoman Lisa Krch said in an email that the school disputes Reed’s version of events.
“The district will steadfastly defend itself in this litigation and awaits the opportunity to provide accurate information and factual context to this incident and about the conduct of the parties involved,” Krch wrote.
The Rest…HERE
