Claims of misconduct arise as video of Concord Police arrest goes viral on TikTok
According to a police press release, the Concord Police Department says a Concord police officer tried to stop a driver on State Highway 49 in late August for failing to display a license plate.
According to a police press release, the Concord Police Department says a Concord police officer tried to stop a driver on State Highway 49 in late August.
CONCORD, N.C. (WBTV) - Claims of police misconduct are arising involving the Concord Police Department and Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department after an arrest went viral on social media.
In a TikTok video, law enforcement officers are seen smashing open a driver’s window with their guns drawn at a gas station.
According to a police press release, the Concord Police Department says a Concord police officer tried to stop a driver on State Highway 49 in late August for failing to display a license plate.
Police say the driver, Davion Pringle, refused to pull over for three miles, leading to law enforcement officers from other agencies including the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office – to get involved.
Concord police say Pringle eventually pulled into a gas station in Harrisburg. In the video, officers could be seen shattering a window.
Police say an officer and a deputy approached the vehicle when they saw Pringle reaching under the driver’s seat.
They say they approached Pringle with their firearms in a “low ready” position and he refused to follow multiple directions like unlocking and opening a door, so a sheriff’s deputy broke the window.
They say he was not targeted or singled out, but the attorney representing Pringle disagrees.
“I think that as a black male you have to be extremely cautious as to how you interact with the police. I know the officers approached the vehicle with their weapons drawn and I know based on some of the statements that were made I am not able to share I think that ultimately in the interaction they were treated more aggressively,” attorney Darlene Harris says.
Harris says her client didn’t pull over right away to ensure a safe interaction in a well-lit area. The attorney says officers had no reason to believe he was “armed or dangerous.”
Right now, they’re contemplating whether they’ll move forward with a lawsuit.
Below is a statement from attorney Darlene Harris with Oakhurst Legal Group PLLC:
Below is the Concord Police Department Response to Oakhurst Legal Group, PLLC: