An Arkansas family is demanding an apology after a grieving member of their family was arrested in a hotel parking lot.
What We Know:
- Shawnda Brookshire lost her four-year-old daughter Nia in a car accident on Interstate 40 in West Memphis, Arkansas.
- While gathering at a La Quinta Inn to grieve with family, Shawnda stepped out into the parking lot for a breath of fresh air. While out, she was approached by two West Memphis police officers who inquired if she was a hotel guest and asked to see her room key.
- The exchange between Shawnda and the officers quickly escalated into a verbal altercation and the police threatened to arrest and take Shawnda in for disorderly conduct. Police say Shawnda began to scream, so she was detained and placed in the back of the patrol car to calm down.
- Shawnda’s brother, Richard Brookshire said Shawnda called out to them when police asked for identification and surrounded her. When they got outside, his sister was face down on the ground with cops kneeling in her back.
- In a Facebook post, Richard says he screamed “What are you doing to my sister?” Richard and their aunt pleaded and explained to the officers that her daughter died the day before and her emotions were high.
- The police explained that there had been multiple burglaries at the hotel and were trying to maintain the safety of the property. The family were not buying it and later found out from the hotel employees that they had not had any break-ins in over a month. Pieces of the exchange can be seen below:
Police say the officers didn’t violate any policy and will not face any disciplinary action. The family feels they deserve an apology.
