PITTSBURGH - John Conners filed a federal complaint on October 21 in the Western District of Pennsylvania against the City of Pittsburgh and unknown police officers for excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, retaliation and other claims.
On May 30, 2020, Conners alleges that he was in downtown Pittsburgh non-violently and peacefully video recording the police response to citizens’ protests of the murder of George Floyd and the deaths of innumerable other African Americans at the hands of the police.
During his video recording, Conners alleges witnessing police engaging in abusive tactics, including the unnecessary use of flashbang grenades, chemical agents, and the firing of projectiles at peaceful protesters.
After several hours, Conners alleges being confronted by officers and asked one officer for clarification of an announced dispersal route, at which time a SWAT team officer threw a canister of chemical agent at Conners. The canister allegedly hit Conners in the leg.
Conners alleges that a projectile was then fired at him and hit him in the right hip. Conners alleges that the force used by the SWAT team officer was unnecessary and excessive. Conners was then taken into custody and was incarcerated for three days until he was able to post bail, the suit says. Conners alleges that the charges against him were filed upon false accusations.
Conners seeks compensatory damages, cost of suit and attorney's fees. Conners is represented by Timothy P. O'Brien.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 2:21-cv-01511-CB