Family says son wrongfully arrested, attacked

A family has filed suit against the Texas City Police Department and one of its officers, alleging a family member was brutally attacked without cause while out of town at a funeral.

Alan Christopher Reed, Vernon Reed and Darlene Reed allege they were attending a funeral in Missouri. Alan Christopher Reed had decided to rent a separate car from his parents and was using it to follow his parents back to the hotel, according to the complaint filed Sept. 12 in the Galveston County District Court. However, on the way home, the family got lost, the suit states. 

Realizing he was lost, Vernon Reed decided to stop in front of an AutoZone to look at a map. Alan Reed parked behind him, the complaint says. Police began to follow both men, they allege.

A female officer approached Alan Reed's vehicle and asked for his license, which he produced immediately, according to the complaint. Alan Reed rolled his window partially down when the officer asked him to roll it down all the way, the suit states.

He asked the officer if he was being charged with anything or arrested when another officer blurted out, "He won't roll down his window!" the complaint says.

Police ordered Alan Reed out of the car. When he complied with the request, he alleges he was immediately dragged to the back of the car where an officer pummeled him, pulled him down, got on top of him with his knee in Alan Reed's back and began to beat him with his fists.

"Alan had made no effort to resist the officers, physically or verbally; but he was overpowered with the surprise attack," the suit states. "There was no warning of the forceful police action and he was caught unprepared for it."

Darlene Reed witnessed her son being attacked and attempted to run to his aid, the complaint says. While rushing toward him, she tripped on a curb and fell face first into the concrete, according to the complaint.

Alan Reed was arrested and brought to the police station with his parents following the police vehicle, the suit states. He was detained and not released until 7 a.m. the following day, the complaint says.

The Reeds allege assault, battery, bystander injury, false arrest and excessive force against the defendants. They also blame them for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the suit states.

They seek unspecified damages, plus attorney fees, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

Attorney R. Clive Markland of Markland Law Firm in Houston will represent the family.

Galveston County District Court case number: 3:14-CV-294.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at Galveston County District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.