A lawsuit has been filed against the City of New York, alleging police brutality during the 2023 J'Ouvert celebration in Brooklyn. Sidarius Davis, the plaintiff, claims he was the victim of excessive force by the New York Police Department (NYPD) during the event.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Dec. 3, 2024, accuses the NYPD of violating Davis' constitutional rights.
According to the complaint, Davis was standing on a public sidewalk on Sept. 4, 2023, when he was tackled by NYPD Officer William Schumacher without provocation. Schumacher allegedly threw Davis into a hot metal grill, causing severe burns and scarring.
The incident reportedly escalated as Schumacher continued to strike Davis, repeatedly slamming his head against the concrete sidewalk.
Davis also accuses Detective Specialist Alex S. Mills and Detective Teanesha Jackson of involvement in the assault. The lawsuit further claims that the NYPD's Community Response Team (CRT), a unit designed to address public disturbances, operates under policies that permit excessive force without accountability.
The CRT allegedly bypasses standard supervisory oversight, reporting directly to high-ranking officials such as Chief of Patrol John Chell and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry.
In addition to the physical injuries, Davis claims his constitutional rights were violated by unlawful search and seizure practices. The lawsuit states that other officers at the scene failed to intervene or provide medical assistance despite witnessing Davis' injuries.
Davis seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages. He also demands changes to NYPD policies to prevent future incidents of police misconduct.
The case is being represented by attorney Maryanne K. Kaishian of Kaishian & Mortazavi LLC and is filed under Case ID 1:24-cv-08323-BMC.