HOUSTON - A Black woman is suing the city of Baytown, alleging she was "humiliated, insulted and then assaulted" by a racist police officer.
Antanika Hall sued Baytown and Yesica Garza on Dec. 20 in Harris County District Court as a result of what she thought would be a quick tripto Walgreens in Baytown on Nov. 25, 2023. She went to buy headache medicine.
While perusing the nail products aisle, Hall says Garza, a cop, started shouting at her. Garza allegedly asked "Why are you people always stealing?"
"Plaintiff, who at first believed the officer was screaming at someone else, was shocked and in disbelief that, in this day and age, an armed and racist police officer, in full Baytown Police Department uniform, would be openly shouting racial slurs in public," the suit says.
Hall attempted to defend herself but Garza snatched the purse off her body, without Hall's permission, the suit says. The jarring caused injuries to Hall's neck and shoulder, the suit says.
A Walgreens employee told Garza that Hall wasn't the suspected shoplifter.
"(A) sinister smile came across Officer Garza, she released Plaintiff, and proceeded to the front of the store where another woman, who happened to be Caucasian, was being held in custody by the other officer who entered the store," the suit says.
"Baytown PD politely stood around as the white woman was permitted to empty the contents of her purse."
Hall lodged a complaint with the Baytown PD and complains the incident "triggered her Bipolar condition to a manic state."
The lawsuit accuses the city and Garza of civil rights violations, including the right to be free from illegal and unreasonable seizures and searches.
"Ms. Hall's injuries resulted directly and only from a use of force that was not only excessive, but entirely unreasonable and unnecessary, as Ms. Hall did not pose a threat to the Baytown PD officers or the general public," the suit says.
Baytown is accused of hiring "rogue" unqualified officers and overlooking their past misconduct. Garza and others often use excessive force because they know there will be no consequences, Hall claims.
Lauren Horne of DeSouza Injury Lawyers in San Antonio represents the plaintiff.