Teen Files $5 Million Lawsuit After Being Punched by NYPD Officer

A teenager that was punched by a New York City police officer during a fight in the subway filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city, the local NBC-affiliate reports. 

Attorney Sanford Rubenstein, who represents 15-year-old Benjamin Marshall and his parents, says that a $5 million lawsuit was filed at the Family Court in Brooklyn on Wednesday. Marshall was punched in the face by an officer who was responding to an altercation that took place at the Jay Street station on Friday. A video showing the officer assaulting Marshall was caught on camera, and went viral on social media soon after.

It is unclear if Marshall was involved in the fight, but he was not one of the five teens that were arrested in relation to the incident. The NYPD released a statement regarding the footage, and claims the public video doesn’t show “the entirety of the incident.” It also assured citizens that it will be conducting its own investigation into the situation. Per Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the fight was incited by a group of teens harassing a girl. Adams also revealed that the officer struck another teen in addition to Marshall, and that he’s been placed on a modified assignment until the investigation concludes.

“At best, his actions were off base and reflect poorly on the men and women of the NYPD,” Adams said in a statement. “I am also concerned about what led up to this melee. Reports indicate a group of teens were assaulting a young lady, which led to a teen spraying mace throughout the station. We can’t have innocent people placed in harm’s way from police or civilians.”