A Controversial Police Chase Leaves Suspect with Brain Damage
New York, [Date]:
Giovannie Mayo, 29, has notified the NYPD he intends to sue the department for $200 million after an unmarked police vehicle chased him down and left him with a traumatic brain injury.
On May 26th, Giovannie Mayo, 29, was standing near the corner of Sutter and Ralph Avenues in the Brownsville neighborhood when police said he “displayed a firearm and pointed it at a female.” When Mayo ran, NYPD personnel pursued him in the vehicle which ultimately collided with the suspect, as it tried to cut him off in the driveway of a nearby storage facility.
Bystander Shares Contrary Account
Sabrina Robert, the woman who was with Mayo on the street corner, disputed the official account, telling the I-Team, “I say that it’s a lie because they’re trying to cover what they did to him, which was something very unwarranted.”
Video Clip Raises Questions
A short clip of surveillance video, viewed by the I-Team, shows Mayo tucking a handgun in his waistband before police confront him. However, the video does not show Mayo pointing the firearm at Robert or anyone else.
Questions Arise Around Police Response
Attorney Nicholas Liakas represents Mayo and pointed out, “Even if his client possessed a gun at some point prior to the chase, that firearm was no longer a threat because Chief Chell told reporters the suspect ‘threw the firearm’ before the police vehicle ‘tried to cut him off in the driveway’.”
No Video Proof of Gun Being Pointed
The video does not support the claim that Mayo was pointing the firearm at someone, raising questions about why the police needed to intervene.
Investigation Ongoing, Lawsuit Possible
Avoidance Not an Option
According to data published by the city, 911 calls labeled “broadcast chase/pursuit” increased by more than 600% between 2022 and 2023. Chief Chell had previously stated that the police would aggressively pursue suspects if they try to evade authorities.
The Future of the Case Remains Unclear
The investigation is ongoing, and both the NYPD and the district attorney’s office are considering the incident.
A Call to Action
Family of Giovannie Mayo, as well as Assembly Member Latrice Walker, have called on the Office of the New York State Attorney General to investigate the incident. It remains unclear what actions, if any, will be taken against the officers involved.
Conclusion
The circumstances surrounding this incident raise many questions. The police chase was aggressive and resulted in the suspect’s severe brain damage. Both the police department and the district attorney’s office should conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, and provide transparency regarding the incident to the public and the alleged victim’s family.
FAQs:
Q: What led to the police chase?
A: According to police, Giovanni Mayo, 29, displayed a firearm and pointed it at a female after being confronted by detectives in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Q: Why did police pursue the suspect?
A: It is unclear why police decided to pursue May on foot despite the allegations of him not being armed at the time of the chase.
Q: How severe were the injuries?
A: Giovannie Mayo sustained traumatic brain injuries, which rendered him unable to speak or move his extremities without assistance.
