Dallas, Texas — A federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former security guard, who claimed that Dallas police officers used excessive force when they mistakenly identified him as a family violence suspect in 2021. U.S. District Judge Karen Gren Scholer ruled that the officers involved were protected by qualified immunity, which shields public officials from legal accountability under certain circumstances.
In her 20-page ruling, Scholer determined that officers had probable cause to detain Silvester Hayes, 29, citing his failure to use a turn signal and his alleged resistance to arrest as justifications for their actions. Hayes has announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the body-camera footage from the incident clearly illustrates the misuse of force.
“Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, but it clearly showed that I was fighting for my life,” Hayes said in a recent interview. He expressed his belief that calling for help during the encounter was crucial to his safety. “If I would’ve never yelled out for help, I feel like they would’ve taken my life that day.”
The city of Dallas refrained from commenting on the case. City attorneys contended that the officers acted constitutionally and that Hayes misrepresented the events surrounding his arrest. According to his lawsuit, Hayes, a Black man from south Oak Cliff, was pulled over on October 16, 2021, while on his way to buy breakfast for his four children. Officers had mistaken him for a person wanted on a family violence warrant due to the similarity in their names.
Body-camera footage of the incident shows Hayes being forcibly removed from his vehicle, where he was in the process of identifying his legal possession of a firearm. As officers attempted to subdue him, he can be heard screaming for assistance. Despite later acknowledging that they had detained the wrong individual, the police charged him with resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Hayes has stated that the consequences of the arrest have been devastating, impacting his job, home, and family life. He recalled how the incident resulted in him losing his security position and forced his children to live with their mother.
In her opinion issued in late April, Scholer noted that the officers had not used significant physical force beyond a brief moment where an officer may have grabbed Hayes’ throat. She stated that the majority of the physical actions were taken by other officers not named in the lawsuit and emphasized that Hayes continued to physically resist even after being pulled from the car.
Mark Robinius, Hayes’ attorney, voiced strong disagreement with the ruling and confirmed that an appeal will be filed. Hayes, whose story gained attention earlier in 2023, expressed disappointment about the ruling and indicated that he is still trying to rebuild his life.
“I still remember it like yesterday,” Hayes reflected. “To be so close to losing my life over something so simple, that’ll always be traumatizing for me, you know? They almost took me away from my kids, and in that moment, that was the only thing I could think about.”
The incident has prompted questions about the conduct of the officers involved. It remains unclear whether any internal investigations were conducted by the Dallas Police Department, as the city has opted not to release relevant files, citing ongoing litigation.
Hayes has since transitioned to working at a local high school, where he hopes to become involved in coaching football. He moved from his previous neighborhood but continues to reside in Dallas. The experience has profoundly affected his views on law enforcement, making him hesitant to call for police assistance when needed.
“I used to vouch for police when people in my neighborhood said they were bad,” Hayes remarked. “But in my case, different officers from different backgrounds all contributed to the wrongdoing or the mistake they made towards me.” He expressed his feelings of isolation and vulnerability during the incident, stating that no one stood up for him once the mistake was realized.
Although grateful for the support he has received after sharing his story, Hayes conveyed a sense of embarrassment for having gained notoriety under such distressing circumstances. “I hate that I had to go viral for something like that, but I was happy that my story was able to reach so many people.”
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