A federal lawsuit has been filed against Prince George's County, Maryland, seeking a minimum of $16 million in damages. The lawsuit, filed by roommates on Monday, alleges that police officers unlawfully entered their apartment without a warrant, detained them at gunpoint without justification, and needlessly shot their pet dog, Hennessey, which was subsequently euthanized due to being paralyzed. The lawsuit claims that the dog did not attack the officers who entered the apartment, yet two of them discharged their firearms at the animal, while the third officer deployed a stun gun. The incident, which occurred on June 2, 2021, originated from a report of a dog bite at the apartment complex where the plaintiffs resided, prompting Prince George's County police officers to respond.

The encounter was captured on both police body camera footage and a video recorded by one of the plaintiffs. Two officers initially went to the plaintiffs' apartment in search of the dogs supposedly involved in the biting incident. When nobody answered their knocks, a maintenance worker provided the officers with a master key to gain entry. As the officers entered the apartment with their firearms drawn, a third officer arrived at the scene. Inside the apartment, two of the plaintiffs were situated in their bedroom at the time of the officers' entry. One of the plaintiffs vocally protested, asserting that the police had no right to be there. However, one of the officers claimed they did not require a warrant as they had "probable cause," as stated in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the officers acted out of panic when they fired their weapons at the dog after it followed one of the plaintiffs out of the bedroom and approached its primary owner, Erica Umana. Following the shooting, the officers handcuffed the roommates and held them in police vehicles for approximately one hour before releasing them from custody. The plaintiffs, namely Umana, Erika Erazo Sanchez, Dayri Amaya Benitez, and Brandon Cuevas, are now pursuing legal action against the county and the three officers involved.

According to Umana, she pleaded with the officers to assist her wounded dog, but they showed no remorse. The county purportedly offered to compensate Umana for her veterinary expenses if she agreed not to publicly discuss the shooting. However, she declined the offer, as stated in her lawsuit. As of now, police and county officials have not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations made in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit additionally highlights the fact that the three officers were placed on paid administrative leave while the police department conducted an investigation into the incident. The suit claims that two of the officers were accused of "conduct unbecoming an officer" for entering the apartment without a warrant. However, the suit states that the third officer was cleared of any wrongdoing. The lawsuit accuses the officers of employing excessive force, falsely arresting the plaintiffs, and violating their constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The roommates' attorney, William “Billy” Murphy Jr., who previously represented the family of Freddie Gray, a Black man who died in police custody in 2015, referred to the conduct of the Prince George's County police officers as "outrageously flagrant misconduct." Murphy emphasized that such actions should not be occurring in 2021, as it goes against the fundamental principles upon which America was founded.

The lawsuit argues that there has been a long-standing pattern of police misconduct in Prince George's County, which borders Washington, D.C. It cites numerous incidents in which county officers have been accused of using excessive force, including the killing of an unarmed Black man, William Green, in January 2020. Green was handcuffed in a police car when he was shot and killed by Michael Owen Jr., a ten-year veteran of the police department. Owen has since been arrested and is facing a murder charge, with his trial set to commence this week. In the case of Green's family, the county agreed to a $20 million settlement, with Murphy's law firm representing them.

Malcolm Ruff, another attorney representing the plaintiffs in the current lawsuit, claimed that Prince George's County police officers have no fear of repercussions and believe they can mistreat individuals with impunity due to the county's handling of misconduct over the decades. The plaintiffs are seeking justice for the alleged violation of their rights and the loss of their beloved pet, while shining a light on the need for accountability and systemic change within law enforcement.