Tennessee: Police in Tennessee are facing a $4 million lawsuit after allegedly watching a man drown for 13 minutes without intervening.
Mika Wheeler Clabo, a 30-year-old tree surgeon struggling with an opioid addiction, had been reported missing by his mother. Witnesses later spotted him in downtown Knoxville, exhibiting erratic behavior, and multiple 911 calls were made.
When police arrived, Clabo fled towards the Tennessee River, where he fell into the water and became entangled in seaweed.
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According to the lawsuit, an officer asked him to get out of the water and swim towards the dock. However, instead of offering immediate assistance, the officer reportedly made derogatory remarks and waited for a rescue boat to arrive.
Despite Clabo gasping for help, the officers allegedly showed no urgency in responding to the life-threatening situation.
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A restaurant worker alerted the officers to a vine wrapped around Clabo’s neck, but still, no immediate action was taken. It wasn’t until a third officer arrived and heard Clabo’s pleas for rescue that medical help was requested.
Bodycam footage reportedly shows officers expressing doubts about Clabo’s willingness to cooperate, leading them to withhold assistance.
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The lawsuit claims that the officers’ lack of urgency and failure to intervene in a life-or-death situation contributed to Clabo’s tragic drowning.
(Courtesy: Mirror)
