PHILADELPHIA — A man alleges he was illegally searched and detained by City of Philadelphia Police Officers during a candlelight memorial service.
Oscar Robinson filed a complaint April 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against City of Philadelphia, Police Officer Eric Clark, Police Officer Redmond, Lt. Trevor Peszko, John Doe police officers 1-12, and John Doe police chief alleging unlawful seizure and other claims.
Robinson, according to his complaint, was attending a "block memorial" service on North Philip Street in Philadelphia on May 22, 2020. He alleges that less than 20 minutes after his arrival at the candlelight vigil service, the defendant officers arrived on the scene.
Robinson further alleges that he was wearing a special memorial T-shirt that indicated he was part of the group gathered for the service. He claims one of his friends had a car on the scene that was playing music and that when he got inside the car to turn off the music, the defendant officers placed a gun into his back and grabbed his arm.
Robinson alleges he received no verbal commands, had a gun drawn to his back the entire time and was not resisting arrest. He also alleges the officers searched the homes of the individuals on the block who were attending the service without warrant or probable cause. Robinson claims he sat in the back of the police car without any air conditioning, handcuffed after being illegally searched.
Robinson seeks monetary relief of more than $150,000, interest and all other just relief. He is represented by Amber Falkenbach and Danielle Burke of Falkenbach Law LLC in Media.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:22-CV-01439-ER