BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Buffalo man seen in cell phone video being punched in the head repeatedly by a Buffalo police officer plans to sue the city, the police department, the police commissioner and both officers involved in his arrest.
An attorney representing Quentin Suttles, 30, has filed a notice of claim in State Supreme Court. Suttles claims Buffalo Police Officers Ronald Ammerman and Michael Scheu used excessive force when they pulled him over and arrested him on May 10.
The arrest, which was caught on a bystander's cell phone video and police body cams, shows one of the officers punching Suttles in the head repeatedly while he is on the ground.
The claim also accuses the city, the police department and Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood of not properly training officers in use of force and not providing adequate supervision of their actions.
According to the claim, officers Ammerman and Scheu followed Suttles' vehicle for several minutes and pulled him over on Madison Street after he "committed a minor traffic offense." Police said Suttles was going the wrong way down a one-way street.
During a search of Suttles after he stepped out of his car, the claim states the officers "had engaged in prolonged grabbing of his genitals while finding no contraband. The officers... then grabbed his hands and while throwing him to the ground advised that his hands need to be out of his pockets...while his hands were either against the car, or being held by the officers."
Suttles' attorney says when asked by a bystander recording the altercation why they were punching Suttles in the head, the officers responded by saying they were saving his life because he was trying to eat drugs.
The claim also accuses the officers of not seeking medical treatment for Suttles until the following day, despite the fact that he suffered serious injuries.
The police report, obtained by 7 Eyewitness News, states officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from Suttles' vehicle after pulling him over for driving the wrong way.
"While conducting pat down, searched defendant did push off vehicle and fight with officers," the police report states. "Defendant continued to fight and reach in his pants, ignoring officers command to stop resisting."
The report also says officers recovered a white powder substance from Suttles' left pocket.
In an attempt to handcuff Suttles, police say he was taken down to the ground. A police source told 7 Eyewitness News in May he had drugs on him and tried to destroy the drugs while officers tried handcuffing him.
In the video, one officer says, "let it go," and "I'm trying to get the drugs." You can also hear an officer say "You're making this hard on yourself."
A woman off-camera can be heard telling Suttles to "stop resisting." He replies "I'm not."
The Erie County District Attorney's Office is investigating the incident.
Both officers remain on duty with the Buffalo Police Department.
LordGimp on June 26th, 2020 at 13:54 UTC »
Let this be another LOUD reminder to fucking record everything. I'm going to bet that the officers will be placed on some sort of leave now that the videos are out and public. The department has had more than a month to deal with this incident and they have fucking sat on it. Anything done now will be to appease the public, not in any way in the pursuit of justice. Justice delayed is justice denied. Do not let the monster rest.
Deemaunik on June 26th, 2020 at 12:01 UTC »
How the fuck is punching someone in the head deescalating or any remotely appropriate part of apprehending someone?
Aturom on June 26th, 2020 at 11:54 UTC »
Suttles' attorney says when asked by a bystander recording the altercation why they were punching Suttles in the head, the officers responded by saying they were saving his life because he was trying to eat drugs.
Riiiiiiight...