FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) – A Ferguson family has filed a federal lawsuit accusing a St. Louis County SWAT team of violating their rights during a search warrant raid last May. The lawsuit, filed by Lindell Briscoe and Brittany Shamily, alleges damages over the use of excessive force, unjust detention, the deployment of SWAT without constitutional justification, Monell liability, and violation of the Sunshine Act.
Represented by attorneys Bevis Schock and Erich Veith, Briscoe, Shamily, and their five minor children are seeking legal action against St. Louis County and the detective who ordered the raid. To support their claim, the attorneys have provided body camera footage obtained from a records request, revealing the moment St. Louis County Police conducted the SWAT raid in Ferguson on May 26, 2023.
The video shows SWAT officers shouting, “St. Louis County Police with a search warrant, come to the front door. Do it now.” Schock further explains that the woman of the house was caught off guard as she was inside in her underwear, holding her baby in the back. The officers swiftly entered with a battering ram and aimed their large guns.
The incident stemmed from a carjacking earlier that day in south St. Louis. Police utilized the “Find My” application to track Apple AirPods, believed to have been stolen during the carjacking, to the Ferguson residence. However, the lawsuit argues that the police targeted the wrong house, as the AirPods were ultimately found in the street, not inside the family’s home.
The excessive use of SWAT teams is at the forefront of the lawsuit. Schock emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the circumstances that warrant such a response. The attorneys assert that the public needs to be aware of the frequency and justification for employing SWAT teams in the community.
During the raid, SWAT officers demanded Brittany Shamily exit the home. It took nearly four minutes for them to bring her crying three-month-old baby outside. Meanwhile, Brittany’s husband, who was in his work truck with two of their children, faced officers pointing large guns at him.
Schock argues that not every interaction with the police should involve a SWAT team, as it is neither fair nor reasonable to the public. The case is expected to be tried, allowing the evidence to be presented and raising questions about the role of SWAT teams in the community.
Attempts to seek comment from St. Louis County Police regarding the lawsuit were unsuccessful as they declined to comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit also highlights the failure of the county to address the family’s property damage promptly, despite promising to fix their front door and basement drywall. The family has since relocated to another residence.
The family’s attorneys have submitted the necessary paperwork to the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office, giving them 30 days to respond. As the legal process unfolds, the lawsuit will shed light on the actions and accountability of the St. Louis County SWAT team.