Family sues city, police
Officers burst into home in manhunt
Melissa Haneline
The Post and Courier
A bedroom door shows signs of forced entry in the apartment of Tina Williams (left) and daughter Brandie, 15. Hanahan police forced their way into the apartment Sunday December 30 with a search warrant for a murder suspect who they mistakenly thought lived there.
Past story
Police burst into wrong apartment; Officers led to think murder suspect lived in unit, published 01/03/08
HANAHAN — A local family is suing city and police officials for wrongfully searching their apartment, claiming that authorities should have known it was the wrong place.
Tina Williams' suit was filed in response to a December 2007 search where police entered her apartment looking for an Hispanic man sought in a murder investigation.
The Williams family, which includes three children, is black and contends that police were not diligent before they broke open the door.
At the time of the search, Williams' 15-year-old daughter reported that she didn't have a chance to respond before officers burst into the family's Willard Drive apartment.
The officers were looking for a suspect in the fatal shooting six hours earlier of a 23-year-old Hispanic man at a Remount Road bar known as the OK Corral.
Police obtained a search warrant for the Williams' apartment after a witness told them that a suspect lived inside, reports said at the time.
The information turned out to be incorrect.
Family members said they were held at gunpoint by police. An officer asked Tina Williams if she knew any Hispanic males, but Williams was baffled by the question.
Police later said they had received bad information and reportedly apologized to the Williams family for the error.
The lawsuit, filed in the Berkeley County Courthouse this month, seeks unspecified actual and punitive damages. It contends that police continued to search through drawers, cabinets and other storage areas even after determining that the family had no Hispanic roommates.
The suit also contends that a promise to repair the damaged door went unfulfilled.
An attorney for the Williams family said police should have adequately investigated their target before barging in.
"They had plenty of reason to know that wasn't the right apartment," attorney Brian Duffy said. "This is a nightmare for anyone and even more horrific for children, and for parents watching their children experiencing it."
Hanahan Police Chief Don Wilcox said he could not comment on the matter while it is in litigation.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 7 comment(s)
Posted by iceman1978 on August 30, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't say that I blame these people for suing them.
Posted by jeff61 on August 30, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Suing for what exactly?...As far as the door, the apartment complex owns the door and should have repaired it then billed the city.
Posted by ms_lady2u on August 30, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Should have had all their facts together before they did their homework! How would you have felt if guns were drawn in front of your kids and your door was kicked in? that poor family will probally be traumatized for the rest of their life!
Posted by 512c on August 30, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
welcome to the new patriot state.
Where council members expect to be sued for laws that are unconstitutional, where police kick doors in (without saggy pants! MY GAWD), and all we can do is sue.
The crime is not there, but the punishment is being dragged into court to protect yourself.
How long before the court is gone?
Police need to ignore their new freedom to kick doors in, or no one will trust them for anything.
Posted by drp7773 on August 30, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So after seeing their mistake, they continue to search thru drawers and cabinets mmmmm yeah I guess a full grown man could hide in those places. Sounds like more cops going bad and trying to find anything to cover up the mess. Fire who ever led this search and sue the hell out of the city, maybe they will enact some more rules before the next headstrong bully police take off and break into your family home with guns drawn.
Posted by candygirl on August 30, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They deserve to be sued,I'm sure when they realize their mistake,they had to search the drawers and cabinets etc,in search of drugs so they could have something to put on these people.
In a case like this ,I agree SUE
Posted by mkris on August 31, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very simple... this is a civil rights violation. KaChing.... legal fees are recoverable in this instance. Settle now before the legal fees climb and the only ones that make out are the lawyers.