2015 Texas pool party incident

Viral video May 2017 Collin County Texas Incorporated Areas McKinney highlighted.svg Location of McKinney in Collin County, Texas 2015 6 5 Craig Ranch North McKinney, Texas, United States McKinney Pool Party Eric Casebolt, a McKinney police officer, was video-recorded violently restraining an unarmed 15-year-old African-American girl at a pool party. Brandon Brooks Grand jury declined to indict officer involved in incident The 2015 Texas pool party incident, also known as the "McKinney pool party", was a civil disturbance that occurred on June 5, 2015, at a pool party in McKinney, Texas, United States. While responding to 911 calls that reported the trespassing of dozens of individuals on private property, a McKinney police officer, corporal Eric Casebolt, was video-recorded violently restraining Dajerria Becton, a 15-year-old black girl wearing a swimsuit. He later drew his handgun on unarmed teen witnesses during the same incident.https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/09/us/mckinney-tex-pool-party-dispute-leads-to-police-officer-suspension.html Jarring Image of Police's Use of Force at Texas Pool Party New York Times June 8, 2015 June 9, 2015 Cole-Frowe, Carol Brandon Brooks filmed the encounter and posted the video on YouTube. Within hours, millions of people had seen it.https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/didnt-the-mckinney-tex-police-officer-know-he-was-being-recorded/2015/06/08/504033e6-0df7-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html Didn't the McKinney, Texas, police officer know he was being recorded? Washington Post June 8, 2015 June 9, 2015 Fisher, Marc Casebolt was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation and he resigned within days. The incident sparked protests in McKinney involving hundreds of people.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-texas-police-idUSKBN0OO1VJ20150609 Protesters seek firing of Texas officer who threw girl to ground Reuters June 9, 2015 June 9, 2015 Stone, Mikehttp://www.fox4news.com/story/29279422/mckinney-officer-resigns-due-to-video-of-pulling-gun-on-teens McKinney officer resigns due to video of pulling gun on teens - Fox4News.com June 9, 2015 June 9, 2015 June 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150609220958/http://www.fox4news.com/story/29279422/mckinney-officer-resigns-due-to-video-of-pulling-gun-on-teens dead A grand jury declined to indict the officer. Incident On June 5, 2015, police were called to a pool party and cookout at Craig Ranch North, an upper-middle-class neighborhood in McKinney. Tatyana and Aryana Rhodes, African-American teens and neighborhood residents, had invited friends to the event to celebrate the end of the school year.Lopez German 2015-06-07 Police officer who slammed black girl to the ground at McKinney, Texas, pool party resigns https://www.vox.com/2015/6/7/8744011/mckinney-texas-police-officer 2020-06-16 Vox en Rhodes's mother, LaShauna Burks, told WFAA the party was approved by the neighborhood Homeowners Association (HoA); however, the HoA denied her claim.Back story: What led up to McKinney incident https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/collin-county/back-story-what-led-up-to-mckinney-incident/287-148858760 2020-06-16 wfaa.com en-US Benét Embry, an attendee and resident, witnessed "a teenage party get way out of control."Reagan Roy EXCLUSIVE: Tyler native who witnessed McKinney pool incident defends police http://www.myeasttex.com/news/local-news/exclusive-tyler-native-who-witnessed-mckinney-pool-incident-defends-police dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064451/http://www.myeasttex.com/news/local-news/exclusive-tyler-native-who-witnessed-mckinney-pool-incident-defends-police 2016-03-04 2016-07-15 MYEASTTEX Another witness, Sean Toon, told security guards that teens were "jumping the fence." Neighborhood security was called to remove those accused of trespassing. Attendee Miles Jai Thomas told HuffPost that the security guard "started making up rules to keep [African-American partygoers] out." While events were unfolding, a white woman made racist comments towards attendees. Tatyana Rhodes and the woman had an argument and a brief fight.Craven Julia 2015-06-07 Teen Speaks Out About What Happened When Cops Broke Up A Texas Pool Party https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-pool-party_n_7530502 2020-06-16 HuffPost en Police were called to the scene as it started to escalate. Although the original Facebook statement by the McKinney Police Department has been deleted, Snopes cited the post:On June 5, 2015 at approximately 7:15 p.m., officers from the McKinney Police Department responded to a disturbance at the Craig Ranch North Community Pool. The initial call came in as a disturbance involving multiple juveniles at the location, who do not live in the area or have permission to be there, refusing to leave. McKinney Police received several additional calls related to this incident advising that juveniles were now actively fighting. First responding officers encountered a large crowd that refused to comply with police commands. Nine additional units responded to the scene. Officers were eventually able to gain control of the situation.McKinney Pool Party Controversy https://www.snopes.com/news/2015/06/08/mckinney-pool-party-controversy/ Snopes.com June 8, 2015 2020-06-16 After being asked to disperse from the pool, Becton told police corporal Eric Casebolt she needed to find her glasses. Texas Monthly describes the video footage:Moments later, [Becton is] thrown to the ground and grabbed by the hair. When two boys approach, [Casebolt] pulls his gun on them, leading the girl to scream. When she does so, he grabs her again by the back of the head and slams her face-first to the ground, at which point he holds her down by planting his knee on her back as she cries, "I'm not fighting you."2017-01-05 The McKinney Pool Party Incident Sparks Another Lawsuit https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/mckinney-pool-party-incident-sparks-another-lawsuit/ 2020-06-16 Texas Monthly enCasebolt held his gun in a "low ready" position as those attempting to intervene retreated. One teen, Adrian Martin, was arrested after appearing to lunge at the officer. Martin says he was attempting to comfort Becton, his brother's classmate; a friend bumped into Martin and made his actions seem aggressive. After Casebolt pointed his gun, Martin ran away because he feared that he might be shot by police. He was the only person taken into custody after the incident.Mervosh Sarah June 9, 2015 McKinney police officer Eric Casebolt resigns after pool party video goes viral http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/06/teen-who-mckinney-officer-pulled-gun-on-questions-why-he-was-arrested.html/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150609221031/http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/06/teen-who-mckinney-officer-pulled-gun-on-questions-why-he-was-arrested.html/ June 9, 2015 June 12, 2015 Dallas Morning News mdy-all Charges were later dropped and Martin did not sue the McKinney Police Department.Davis Todd June 10, 2015 Charges Against Teen at McKinney Pool Party http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Charges-Dropped-Against-Teen-Arrested-at-McKinney-Pool-Party-306754411.html NBCDFW The entire event was captured on a cell phone camera by a teenager who lived in the neighborhood.Bellware Kim Cop Placed On Leave After Video Emerges Of Brutal Arrests At Teen Pool Party http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/07/mckinney-police-pool-party_n_7530164.html Huffington Post June 7, 2015 June 10, 2015 Becton was not charged. Aftermath Casebolt, a McKinney Police Department officer who served in the department for ten years and received the McKinney Patrolman of the Year award for 2008,http://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/slideshow-mckinney-police-receive-awards/article_cfad7f3e-6214-56a8-ab66-ddb0726ac144.html McKinney Police receive awards McKinney Courier-Gazette April 19, 2009 was placed on administrative leave after the video went viral; he subsequently resigned.Southall Ashley McKinney, Tex., Police Officer Resigns Over Incident Caught on Video The New York Times June 9, 2015 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/us/police-officer-in-mckinney-tex-resigns-over-incident-caught-on-video.html June 10, 2015https://news.yahoo.com/latest-pool-incident-witness-teen-party-got-hand-170242318.html Protest rally draws hundreds Yahoo! News June 8, 2015 According to his lawyer, Jane Bishkin, Casebolt's work that day prior to the pool incident had taken "an emotional toll." He had dealt with one suicide attempt and another unusually disturbing suicide before arriving at Craig Ranch North.https://news.yahoo.com/mckinney-police-officer-apologies--blames-aggression-at-pool-party-on-emotional-stress-190534788.html McKinney police officer apologizes, blames emotional stress Yahoo! News June 10, 2015http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Officers-Attorney-POA-Civil-Rights-Group-Issue-Statements-306799061.html Officer's Lawyer Offers Apology on His Behalf NBCDFW June 10, 2015 Bishkin noted that the officer was apologetic for his actions, but denied that they were racially motivated. He acknowledged that he "let his emotions get the better of him." According to Bishkin, a white woman was also detained during the incident. Gawker submitted a Public Information Act request for Casebolt's records and emails concerning his conduct. A McKinney attorney claimed the request would cost over $79,000. Gawker viewed this exorbitant amount as a "deliberate attempt to conceal information" and challenged the fee.Cush Andy June 29, 2015 Texas Town Is Charging Us $79,000 for Emails About Pool Party Abuse Cop http://gawker.com/texas-city-is-charging-us-79-000-for-emails-about-pool-1714757746 2020-06-16 Gawker en A spokesperson for the city later called the estimate "erroneous" and "inaccurate," promising to provide an updated estimate.Cush Andy July 2, 2015 McKinney, Texas, Apologizes for "Erroneous" $79,000 FOIA Bill http://gawker.com/mckinney-texas-apologizes-for-erroneous-79-000-foi-1715402129 2020-06-16 Gawker en Tatyana Rhodes faced difficulty finding venues after the June 5 incident. The venue that was to be the site of the next party in the series received a number of threatening and harassing phone calls.Future Of "Make It Clap" Parties Uncertain http://dfw.cbslocal.com/video/11590156-future-of-make-it-clap-parties-uncertain/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150614102847/http://dfw.cbslocal.com/video/11590156-future-of-make-it-clap-parties-uncertain/ 14 June 2015 June 12, 2015 CBS News - DFW Reaction On June 8, 2015, about 800 protesters marched through McKinney demanding Casebolt's firing. They walked from a school to the swimming pools where the incident unfolded. Many of the protesters accused the officers involved of being racist. Some demonstrators held signs reading "My skin color is not a crime" and "Don't tread on our kids."https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33059484 Protest over Texas pool party incident BBC News June 9, 2015 McKinney Police Chief Greg Conley said that the officer's actions were "indefensible" and did not reflect on the department's high standard of action. Conley stated that the officer was "out of control" during the incident. The police department also said they had started an investigation.https://news.yahoo.com/policeman-pulled-gun-texas-pool-party-resigns-000213684.html Policeman who pulled gun at pool party resigns Yahoo! News June 9, 2015http://fox4kc.com/2015/06/08/teen-speaks-out-after-recording-viral-pool-party-video-2/ Teen speaks out after recording viral pool party video fox4kc.com June 9, 2015 Criminal proceedings None of the individuals accused of trespassing were charged with a crime. Collin County prosecutors ordered the Texas Rangers to conduct an independent investigation.Prosecutor orders independent investigation in police officer's actions at Texas pool party, Fox News, June 15, 2015. On January 11, 2016, the Texas Rangers concluded their investigation and returned it to the Collin County District Attorney's Office for further handling.Texas Rangers Submit Report About McKinney Pool Party To Prosecutors https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/texas-rangers-submit-report-about-mckinney-pool-party-to-prosecutors/ CBS DFW January 11, 2016 January 11, 2016 On June 23, 2016, a grand jury declined to indict Casebolt, closing the criminal case against him.https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/grand-jury-no-bills-former-mckinney-pool-party-cop/ Grand Jury No Bills Former McKinney Pool Party Cop CBS News June 23, 2016 2016-06-23 Civil suit On January 4, 2017, Dajerria Becton and her legal guardian, Shashona Becton, filed a civil suit against Casebolt, the McKinney Police Department, and the city of McKinney, TX. The suit sought damages of US$5 million for the officer's use of excessive force and holding Dajerria Becton without probable cause, thus violating her constitutional rights.Chiquillo Julieta Girl pinned down at McKinney pool party sues ex-cop, city for $5 million http://www.dallasnews.com/news/mckinney/2017/01/03/girl-pinned-mckinney-pool-party-sues-ex-cop-city-5-million dallasnews.com January 5, 2017 The Dallas Morning News, Inc. 5 January 2017 This was the second suit brought against Casebolt involving race. In 2008, he was sued by Robert Earl Brown. Brown, an African-American man, alleged the officer of "racial profiling and excessive force". Brown's suit against Casebolt was dismissed in 2009. The Becton family was represented by attorney Kim T. Cole, a graduate of Howard University School of Law.Ritchie Andrea J. How a Violent, Viral Arrest Changed Dajerria Becton's Life https://www.teenvogue.com/story/dajerria-becton-arrest-pool-party-viral 2020-06-16 Teen Vogue June 19, 2018 en-us In 2018, the case was settled for $184,850.http://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article212150864.html Settlement reached in viral video case of McKinney police breaking up pool party Tom Uhler Fort Worth Star Telegram May 29, 2018 According to The Dallas Morning News, Becton received $148,850 and the remaining $36,000 was divided among six other teens involved in the incident.2018-05-29 Attempt to heal rift over McKinney pool party incident turns into heated exchange between activist, mayor https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2018/05/29/attempt-to-heal-rift-over-mckinney-pool-party-incident-turns-into-heated-exchange-between-activist-mayor/ 2020-06-16 Dallas News en To celebrate the lawsuit's settlement and high school graduation, Cole planned to throw a "fabulous" pool party for Dajerria Becton and others detained at the Craig Ranch North community pool in 2015. She hoped it would "offer some healing and mark the start of a new chapter" of the teens' lives. Per Cole's interview with TeenVogue, Dajerria Becton planned to start a business with her settlement and pursue a career in dentistry. References Texas Pool party incident Category:McKinney, Texas Category:Police brutality in the United States Category:2010s viral videos Category:June 2015 in the United States Category:Swimming in the United States Category:2015 controversies in the United States Category:Controversies in Texas Category:Police brutality in the 2010s Category:Violence against children in the United States Category:African-American history of Texas