“It’s a bad look”; family’s attorney holds press conference after 13-year-old arrested
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD)- A teenager was arrested and charged Monday after an altercation with Summerville police officers.
The situation unfolded because the 13-year-old was selling palmetto roses at the Summerville Walmart on North Main Street.
Jefferson Tiraeo owns a hotdog stand right by the Walmart and says the 13-year-old always comes by his stand.
“I always give them food. I’ve known them since they were really little, small kids,” Tiraeo said.
Summerville officers, who were patrolling the Walmart, asked the boy to leave because they said he didn’t have a business license.
The police department says the boy started to cuss at them and refused to leave.
When police tried to detain him, they say he resisted and punched a female officer in the face.
“They’re not bad kids. I’ve never seen them get in trouble,” Tiraeo said.
The 13-year-old’s charges have since been reduced from assault and battery to violating town code 16-01, which states it is unlawful to “resist, assault, or interfere with an officer or employee engaged in official duties, and failing to comply with lawful order.”
The family of the 13-year-old is now taking legal action against the department; Attorney Marvin Pendarvis is representing them.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that escalated to a point that was unnecessary,” Pendarvis said.
Pendarvis held a press conference this morning alongside the boy’s family, including his mother.
Pendarvis and the family watched the body camera video together at the police station.
“You will see in the video that the officer grabs the minor by the hand, at which point he attempts to subdue him. During that attempt, the minor is taken to the ground,” Pendarvis said.
Pendarvis also says in the video that the boy could not be seen punching the female officer.
“We asked where do you see the young man striking her. We watched the video multiple times, and it is not clear that this young man strikes,” Pendarvis said.
The Summerville Police Department is expected to release body camera footage from the incident on Thursday.
