Nationwide — Erin Cowser, a 17-year-old African American woman from San Bernardino County, California, was allegedly slammed face-first onto concrete by a police officer in Could 2025, leaving her unconscious with severe accidents. Her household says the officer later gave a false account of what occurred.
The incident has led to a civil rights lawsuit filed towards the San Bernardino Police Division and several other officers. The criticism accuses regulation enforcement of utilizing extreme drive and making an attempt to cowl up what occurred.
In accordance with EURWeb, the submitting states Cowser was unarmed and compliant when an officer approached from behind, grabbed her backpack, restrained her arms, and forcefully pushed her face-first onto the pavement. She allegedly suffered a traumatic mind harm, reminiscence loss, a deep facial laceration that required stitches, and extra wrist and again accidents.
The lawsuit states that physique digital camera footage and bystander video battle with the officers’ model of occasions. It additionally claims officers advised Cowser’s household that different juveniles have been liable for her accidents and repeated that clarification internally, even after video proof surfaced. One officer later admitted to offering false data throughout a use-of-force evaluate, however the division didn’t situation a public correction.
Cowser stated she remembers little from the assault. “I bear in mind being terrified — after which I don’t bear in mind something in any respect,” she stated. “I wakened harm, confused, and being advised issues that I later realized weren’t true about what occurred to me.”
Civil rights attorneys and activists have criticized the division. The lawsuit consists of claims beneath the Bane Civil Rights Act and Ralph Civil Rights Act, together with allegations of assault, battery, and negligence.
Najee Ali, a civil rights advocate, referred to as the alleged assault “unacceptable” and stated the officer ought to face prison fees. “This was not a mistake — it was violence, adopted by dishonesty,” he added.
