Student Plans to Sue After Recent Arrest

The Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) issued a media release on Jan. 22 in response to the arrests of five Howard students at the University Towers Center (UTC) on Jan. 21.

The release states that police were deployed to the scene when a call was put in to disband a large fight on the first floor and a disorderly party on the 16th floor.

“Upon arrival, officers encountered more than 100 individuals congregating in the first floor public areas of the building; officers also saw numerous empty and open alcohol containers in these areas,” according to the release.

Attendees were ordered to clear the public areas with non-residents leaving the premises and residents returning to their rooms.

“Some of these persons refused to comply with lawful police direction, and became aggressive towards officers who were attempting to clear the area,” the release said.

Seniors political science major Chad Williams-Bey, accounting major Stanley Johnson, finance major Keith Barclay, finance major Isha McCauley and history major Dale Cooper were all arrested.

Williams-Bey was the only student to be fully charged.

“Williams-Bey was resisting our efforts in arresting him by not placing his hand behind his back when told to do so and fighting officers while trying to place him under arrest,” according to Williams-Bey’s police report.

The report further stated, “As this event was going on, people from the tower apartments were looking down and people driving stopped their cars to see what was going on.”

Jasmia Fowler, a freshman speech pathology major, said, “I believe that they were just overreacting. There is definitely a better way to go about handling that situation,” she said. “It seemed like they [the officers] were anxious for something like this to happen for them to [use] that much force.”

Greg Phillips, HCPD public information officer, said that the department understands students’ concerns with the arrests and that they are still gathering information on the incident.

Tyria Stona was one of the people watching the incident take place from inside. After an informative phone call from a friend, Stona witnessed the aftermath of Williams-Bey’s arrest. She said that the officers, not the students, were acting aggressively.

“I saw three cops beating him up while he was handcuffed on the floor. That’s when I called the cops,” Stona said.

An HCPD officer visited Stona’s apartment on Saturday and allowed her to complete a statement of what she witnessed that night.

Stona said that the officer confirmed that it is a violation for an officer to use a taser on someone who is handcuffed and grounded. The officer is collecting information to determine whether there were violations on the night of the arrests.

The incident remains under investigation, but steps are being taken to avoid similar situations.

“We have spoken with campus police and plan to have [a] meeting some point down the road,” Phillips said.

The Hilltop is awaiting further comments from the department. Williams-Bey is proceeding to file a law suit and select legal representation.