Black Realtor and Clients File Lawsuit After Michigan Police Handcuff Them During Home Tour

A Black real estate agent, his client, and his client’s son have filed a federal lawsuit claiming Michigan police officers violated their civil rights after they handcuffed the three individuals who were touring a prospective home.

According to USA Today, the realtor Eric Brown, his client Roy Thorne and his 15-year-old son Samuel filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Wyoming, Michigan, the Wyoming police chief, and the six police officers involved in the Aug. 1 incident.

Michigan police had previously described the incident as an “unfortunate” misunderstanding, which started when officers responded to a call from a neighbor.

The police claim a neighbor contacted them because they believed a previously arrested person for unlawful entry into the house had returned. 

The report claimed the suspect drove a black Mercedes, but the officers only found two vehicles at the scene, a black Hyundai Genesis sedan and a black Chevrolet Malibu.

As the three Black males were touring the property, officers assembled outside, two with their guns drawn. Thorne’s son quickly emerged from the basement and told his father he’d seen officers surrounding the house. 

Brown and Thorne said the incident left them feeling “sheer terror” as they saw the officers approach the home. The three individuals were briefly handcuffed and detained before they were released.

The lawsuit has requested a trial by jury and alleged violations of the plaintiffs’ civil rights, assault and battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.