GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — A Brooklyn man who was caught on a viral video being forcefully beaten by NYPD officers inside a local liquor store has officially announced a massive $100 million lawsuit against the City of New York.
Timothy Brown, accompanied by his legal team on Tuesday, spoke out for the first time since the early April incident that left him with life-altering injuries. Brown, who now relies on a cane to walk, described the encounter as a “brutal” and “humiliating” experience that occurred for “no reason.”
A Case of Mistaken Identity?
The incident unfolded during a drug raid at a liquor store in the Gowanus neighborhood. According to Brown’s attorneys, two officers mistakenly identified Brown as a suspect. The resulting arrest, captured on social media video, showed officers using significant force.
“It was wrong and it was disgusting. My life will never be the same,” Brown said during a press conference in Lower Manhattan. “I felt humiliated, disrespected, embarrassed.”
Allegations of NYPD Policy Violations
Beyond the physical assault, the lawsuit brings forward several explosive allegations regarding the conduct of the officers involved. Brown’s attorney, Derek Sells, claims the officers bypassed several NYPD regulations:
- Body Cameras: Lawyers allege the officers failed to activate their department-issued body cameras during the arrest.
- Personal Devices: The suit claims officers were texting colleagues on their personal cellphones during the operation, a direct violation of department policy.
- Medical Neglect: The forceful arrest has reportedly left Brown with lasting physical and emotional scars.
“Through this litigation, we hope to change the policies of the New York Police Department,” Sells stated.
City Hall and NYPD Response
The video of the beating quickly reached the highest levels of city government. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch have both publicly labeled the footage “disturbing.”
In the wake of the incident, the specific drug unit involved has been disbanded, and the officers have been reassigned pending an internal investigation. However, Brown’s mother noted on Tuesday that despite the public outcry, no one from the Mayor’s office has reached out to the family personally.
The NYPD has declined to comment on the specifics of the pending litigation.
