Black Teen Assaulted At Texas Pool Party Sues Ex-Cop, City For $5 Million

A teenage black girl who was assaulted by a police officer at a North Texas pool party, has filed a lawsuit for $5 million.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Dajerria Becton and her mother Shashona Becton, are suing the officer involved with the assault, Eric Casebolt; the city of McKinney; and the police department.

The family alleges that Casebolt "violated the girl's constitutional rights by using excessive force and holding her without probable cause." The family stated that the city and police department are also to blame for the girl's injuries, because officers have not been properly trained.

The assault occurred two years ago, when Casebolt and several other officers responded to complaints about a pool party. In a video that went viral, Casebolt can be seen pushing Dajerria to the ground, as well as waving his gun at other teenagers that were present. Dajerria was only 15 years old at the time of the incident.

"The entire time D.B. she could do nothing [but] cry out in pain and repeatedly beg for her 'Momma' as she endured the pain inflicted upon her by Defendant Casebolt's physical assault," the lawsuit reads.

Dajerria's attorney had originally approached the city last June, and agreed to cooperate with an investigation and avoid a lawsuit if McKinney paid Dajerria $2.5 million. Within the agreement also came a request from Shashona: that all McKinney police officers be trained in use of excessive force, racial sensitivity and handling of juveniles.

The city decided to not take the deal.

Instead, city officials have disputed Dajerria' claims, writing:

"The City of McKinney denies the claims alleged against it and the McKinney Police Department, and as such, will vigorously defend the recently filed lawsuit. McKinney prides itself in cultivating the highest standards of training and professionalism for our officers, and it strongly believes that its standards and training will withstand legal challenge."