Current Events > 8yr old held at gunpoint by police over mistaken identity

(+) Yeah! (+)

An 8-year-old boy and his pregnant mother were pulled over at gunpoint by multiple Sacramento police officers on their way to football practice.
Shanice Stewart, who is nine months pregnant, and her son Brandon were stopped by police Oct. 17 on the highway, after the officers mistook Brandon for a juvenile with two felony warrants, including one for gun possession, according to Sacramento police.
"I noticed that they had guns drawn and they had instructions for me to then toss my keys out of the window, Stewart told ABC News. "And open the door with my left hand, proceed to get out and put my hands in the air and then walk towards them. I immediately broke down because I didn't know or understand what was going on."
Brandon got out of the vehicle afraid that his mother would be arrested or worse, according to Stewart. He screamed and pleaded for her to come back to the car. The 8-year-old, not realizing the officers thought he was the suspect, approached them frantically explaining that his mother was just taking him to football practice and hadnt done anything wrong. It was at that point that Stewart believes the officers realized that Brandon wasnt the suspect.
"I was scared of him getting shot, Stewart said. "You don't know what to expect, especially when it's multiple officers with their guns drawn towards the car. You just you don't know. But I was definitely in fear of getting shot, me or my son. Just by one of them feeling like they were in danger or they did not feel comfortable."
The officers released Stewart and Brandon shortly after, according to Stewart. Police told ABC News they first misidentified Brandon through helicopter surveillance, as he and his mother were leaving their home to go to football practice. Brandon matched the description of a suspect because of his hair style and clothing, according to police.
The next day a captain with the Sacramento police told Stewart the suspect they are looking for is a teenager, according to Stewart. Brandon, a third grader, is about 310, 56 pounds.
"From a distance, officers observed a juvenile who they believed to be the wanted suspect, enter a vehicle with tinted windows," Sacramento police told ABC News through a statement. "Based on the information regarding firearm history, a high-risk stop was initiated. As officers were conducting the stop and the windows were rolled down, they realized the juvenile in the vehicle was not the wanted suspect, and at that point the high-risk stop was ended."
According to Stewart, Brandon is traumatized. Every time they approach the highway, her son asks if they can take the street route instead. When he sees a police cruiser drive past their car, he reminds his mother to drive safely. He also only rides in the back seat of the car now, where he feels safer.
"I do keep repeating to him that all police officers are not bad. You can't just assume that," Stewart said. "I don't want him to hate the law. As far as me, at any given moment, every time an officer gets behind me, Im at fear for my life. I'm scared and he's scared."
The Sacramento Police Department told ABC News that the suspect is still at large. When asked if any disciplinary measures would be taken against the officers involved, Sacramento police said the incident is still under review.
"We must acknowledge that a case of mistaken identity occurred," Sacramento police told ABC News through a statement. "Our officers provided explanation and an apology to the mother and her son. Our department has been in contact with the mother since the incident. We recognize the impact that police interactions can have on our community members."
Stewart is currently exploring the possibility of taking legal action against the Sacramento Police Department.
"It was definitely heartbreaking. It's something that is a life changer." Stewart said. "For us to not have done anything and for it to had went that far."

Brandon, 310, 56 pounds. Mistaken for grown man:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/3/5/AAOrNoAAE9-j.jpg

https://abcnews.go.com/US/8-year-boy-pregnant-mom-held-gunpoint-police/story?id=104221025

Simon_Gruber posted...

"I do keep repeating to him that all police officers are not bad. You can't just assume that," Stewart said.

SMH lying to your son

Also, identifying children sounds like an even bigger crap shoot for police than normal suspect identification.

A department full of Sacramaniacs. IIRC, that same department shot a man over a cellphone. That kids' innocence is gone forever now, unfortunately.

Police later found the suspect, having somehow shrunk down to 14 inches and hiding in a bassinet.

You truly have to oink, I mean feel for the pigs, I mean cops.

The utter terror of having to face down an 8 year old.

True terror!

The dirty disgusting smell of rotten bacon in the air.

Small child being harassed and mistaken for much older by police... my first thought was I bet they black or a person of color.

Wow, all that force and expensive police surveillance helicopter and it ended in traumatizing a little boy and his pregnant mother, way to go police!

Simon_Gruber posted...

The next day a captain with the Sacramento police told Stewart the suspect they are looking for is a teenager, according to Stewart. Brandon, a third grader, is about 310, 56 pounds.

Honest mistake really. I always confuse 8 year olds with teenagers and threaten them with guns.
/s

There is no way anyone can think the boy in the photo is even in Jr high

If this were an Onion article, instead of (unfortunately) real life, the story would have been about the police pointing their guns at the pregnant lady's womb, as in the unborn child is the suspect they mistaken for. Just to really showcase the idiocy and straight up malice of the police.

The number of cases where cops are malicious and incompetent is up to like a googolplex at this point.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googolplex

How many cases are there of cops hitting the wrong house because they couldn't be bothered to double check the address? Many innocent people have died over cases like this.

Children of color always seem to be mistaken for adults for 'some reason'.

Thank God no one was killed over this. It's just a shame that the officers won't get the punishment they deserve for this shit.

"We are sorry we gunned down that family barbecue chief. From up in the copter we could've sworn it was a cartel arms deal."

Torgo posted...

Small child being harassed and mistaken for much older by police... my first thought was I bet they black or a person of color.

Wow, all that force and expensive police surveillance helicopter and it ended in traumatizing a little boy and his pregnant mother, way to go police!

Same. Can't believe we were right

But hey, this is an outlier and anyone that talks about white privilege is the real racist /s

Still a mystery why a lot of people, but definitely a ton of black people, don't like the police

Umbreon posted...

Children of color always seem to be mistaken for adults for 'some reason'.

Thank God no one was killed over this. It's just a shame that the officers won't get the punishment they deserve for this shit.

Black person aged 12+ 'looks like a grown adult' and 'is old enough to understand the consequences of their actions'.

White person under 25 is 'just a kid' who 'shouldn't have their whole life ruined over one mistake'.

Like I get thinking the suspect matched their description from a helicopter initially but could they not have simply followed the vehicle and for a better look at the kid after they got to football practice? Of course no need to use guns either, but shit have some patience and common sense here. Hopefully they sue the police department for the trauma.

And this incident will make that young kid into distrusting the police, turning him (justifiably) disrespectful towards them, and the cops will profile black people for it.

Can't we stop this cycle of hate?

Poor kid. Those cops are complete morons.

The cops only mistook him for an adult because most the force are mentally 3 years old

You knew it was gonna be a black kid before you entered the topic

Don't lie

Idea for future Onion article: Police later replied, "Sorry, we meant to shoot another 8 year old."

Dakimakura posted...

Idea for future Onion article: Police later replied, "Sorry, we meant to shoot another 8 year old."

More like 'apologises for not responding immediately on sensing movement and putting the threat down - advises public to treat them like a t-rex'

But you know what guys, it is media that makes people fear the police.

I do think some civil compensation is in order. The kid is going to need some help.

How in the fuck are they gonna confuse that halfpint for anything remotely threatening

what the fuck, man

--Zero- posted...

Like I get thinking the suspect matched their description from a helicopter initially but could they not have simply followed the vehicle and for a better look at the kid after they got to football practice? Of course no need to use guns either, but shit have some patience and common sense here. Hopefully they sue the police department for the trauma.

Assuming the mother has the finances to do so. Money is a barrier to justice by design.

Guide posted...

How in the fuck are they gonna confuse that halfpint for anything remotely threatening

what the fuck, man

According to US police all black people regardless of age or stature are threatening.

wackyteen posted...

SMH lying to your son

Also, identifying children sounds like an even bigger crap shoot for police than normal suspect identification.

he's a traumatized child, hard for the parent to decide what to do, considering she almost lost her kid too.

The pussies should have been 100% sure it was the right person before forcing people out of a car at gunpoint. Even if the suspect was 4 feet tall wearing a football uniform.

All

well obviously it's not a white kid

Guide posted...

How in the fuck are they gonna confuse that halfpint for anything remotely threatening

what the fuck, man

this is america, anyone could have a gun

ArkhamOrigins posted...

All

Every fucking last one.

He was coming right at them

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/2/6/AABPmqAAD3kK.jpg

Guide posted...

How in the fuck are they gonna confuse that halfpint for anything remotely threatening

what the fuck, man

The thing you have to understand about cops is the cowardice.

Right down the street from where I work