The year 2020 is memorable for numerous reason. The COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Breonna Taylor was killed in her home, and George Floyd lost his life. After the death of Floyd, the nation, including Chicago, experienced riots and unrest. On May 31, 2020, during a state of unrest, Mia Wright and some family members arrived at Brickyard Mall to do some shopping. However, Wright and her four family members did not know the mall had been closed due to the unrest.
Unfortunately, it will be a day they will remember forever. Shortly after arriving at the mall, officers allegedly surrounded the vehicle, armed with batons, according to a lawsuit filed by the Wright and relatives. Furthermore, the officers proceeded to smash the car windows with the batons, causing glass to fly everywhere.
The lawsuit states the officers then dragged Wright out of the vehicle by her hair. Furthermore, the incident left them traumatized and Wright blind in one eye. At the time of the incident, Wright had been 25 years old.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, the Chicago Police Board voted to fire Officer David Laskus. They found that Laskus had used excessive force and had lied to the investigators about the incident.
In March 2022, Chicago City Council approved a $1.675 million settlement with Wright and her four relatives there that day. However, officers involved in the incident claimed they believed some members of Wright’s group were attempting to break in and steal from the mall. Laskus had told investigators he had not dragged Wright out of the vehicle by her hair. However, investigators had video evidence showing otherwise.
While the Chicago Police Board did decide to terminate his position, Laskus does have the right to appeal the decision in Cook County Circuit Court.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
WGN-TV: Police board votes to fire Chicago officer accused of dragging woman by the hair during 2020 unrest
The Washington Post: Police board votes to fire Chicago officer accused of dragging woman by the hair during 2020 unrest
Featured Image Courtesy of Chris‘ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of British Columbia Emergency Photography‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
