News/Commentary

‘Wrong place, wrong time’: Media pounces on black 12-year-old boy being detained by police

August 13, 2023 | | Print Article

Liberals in the media and on social media have found another reason to bash the police and scream “racism” after a now-viral video emerged on TikTok showing a 12-year-old black Michigan boy being placed in handcuffs and detained by officers.

Tashawn Bernard was taking out the trash outside his family’s Lansing apartment when he was spotted by an officer who was searching for a suspect in a string of car thefts.

@uncle4nem Young Kid Arrested While Taking The Trash Out Father Rushes Outside To See What’s Goin On #wrongfullyaccused #policeofficer #policeofficersoftiktok #fitthedescription #fyp #explore #wrongfularrest #blackticktok #whitetictok #garbageman #tashawnbernard #lansingmichigan #lansingmichiganpolice ♬ original sound – Uncle4nem

According to a lawyer who is now representing the Bernard family, the officer had his “gun unholstered and was holding it in front of [Tashawn]” when he approached the minor, The Hill reports.

An officer removed the handcuffs about three minutes into the video, and Tashawn was able to join his concerned father on the sidewalk.

The Lansing Police Department quickly issued an apology on Facebook.

“The officers of the Lansing Police Department are working very hard to address the recent car thefts plaguing our city,” said Chief Ellery Sosebee in the statement. “In doing so, yesterday officers detained a young man who was wearing similar clothing and in the same apartment complex as an accused car thief who fled from officers on foot.”

“When the officer made initial contact, it was near a trash bin but was after he had disposed of any garbage,” the statement continued. “The young man was then released to his father when eliminated as the accused. The command officer on the scene made contact with the young man’s father and explained the situation and apologized for the misunderstanding. I have reviewed the incident and can confirm the officer who contacted and detained the young man was respectful and professional during his investigation.”

“It’s unfortunate that incidents like this occur but through communication and sharing of information, we can help people understand the whole story. We understand that something like this has an impact on all parties involved,” Chief Sosebee said. “As the Chief of Police, I want to apologize that this incident had such an effect on this young man and his family. I’m asking for the community to consider all the facts of the situation before making a judgment. The relationship with our community has been and will continue to be a top priority for the Lansing Police Department.”

But the damage had already been done.

Online, the “wrong place, wrong time” explanation fell flat, and the Bernards’ attorneys, Ayanna and Rico Neal, claimed Tashawn is so “traumatized” that he “does not want to go outside anymore,” according to The Hill.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The cops should never feel comfortable getting away with kind of stuff,” said one user on X. “They not experiencing enough karma for me. I’d be doing alot of plotting.”

“Kinda weird how many times cops can’t seem to tell how old Black people are,” stated another.

“Unforgivable,” stated a third, “absolutely unforgivable!”

ADVERTISEMENT


One user went so far as to call on “#BlackTwitter” to “drag” the Lansing police officers on Twitter and on Facebook.

“A child was arrested for taking the trash out because the cops thought he was someone else. His father had to come out and defend him because of their ignorance,” wrote one angry user. “There’s a problem with cops consistently getting it wrong when it comes to Black people, creating trauma for nothin.”

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

$10
$15
$25
$50
Other
$
Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.
Melissa Fine
Latest posts by Melissa Fine (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Latest Articles