41.1 F
Memphis
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Buy now

spot_img

Family of Autistic Man Whose Therapist was Shot by North Miami Police Files Lawsuit Against City, Police Officers 

Surveillance footage shows a handcuffed Arnaldo Soto, who is autistic, being interrogated by North Miami Police, despite it being clear that he was unable to answer their questions. (CBS Miami Screenshot)

The family of a man with autism, whose therapist was shot by a North Miami cop, is slapping the city of North Miami and four local police officers with a lawsuit, claiming that their loved one’s civil rights were violated in the aftermath of the shooting.

According to CBS Miami, it was only on Monday, a year after the incident, that the police interrogation of Arnaldo Soto was released. Soto, who has autism, was taken in handcuffs to the North Miami Police Department, after officers shot and wounded his caretaker, Charles Kinsey.

Last year July, Soto wandered into the street from a mental-health center, with a silver toy truck in his hand. Kinsey, a behavioral therapist who was taking care of Soto, went out to try and coax Soto back inside.

That was when officers allegedly mistook Soto’s toy for a gun, although a recording of an interview between North Miami Police Chief Gary Eugene and Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators revealed that the officer who deployed his weapon, Jonathan Aledda, was told by another officer at the scene that there was no weapon.

Aledda fired shots despite Kinsey repeatedly insisting there was no gun while his hands were raised above his head.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Soto’s family says that after the shooting, Soto was taken to the police department and questioned in a small room.

In video of the interrogation, according to CBS Miami, an officer is seen attempting to question Soto about the incident, although it is clear that Soto is unable to answer their questions.

At one point Soto indicates that he wants his shackles removed, but is denied.

Soto’s mother and sister spoke to reporters on Monday saying they were deeply upset about what was shown in the video.

“I’m heartbroken. I feel so guilty I couldn’t be there for him. I’m upset in this day and age they can’t tell that he’s autistic,” Miriam Rios, Soto’s sister, said.

“There is no constitutional right that wasn’t trampled by North Miami police on that day,” attorney Matthew Dietz added.

Kinsey, who is no longer working as a caregiver has filed his own lawsuit against the city, as he continues to recover from his gunshot wound after he was hit in the leg.

Advertisement

According to the report, Soto now lives at a special needs facility in Central Florida. His mother and sister have also moved to be near him.

In the meantime, Aledda is also facing charges of attempted manslaughter for Kinsey’s shooting.

Read more at CBS Miami.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Related Articles

Stay Connected

21,507FansLike
2,634FollowersFollow
17,200SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest Articles