What started as a routine arrest spiraled into a courtroom showdown, when a young Black man — falsely accused of theft — turned the tables and sued the arresting officer for racial profiling.
The officer, identified as Sgt. Brad “By-the-Book” Henderson, claimed the man matched a description. But bodycam footage later revealed the suspect had done absolutely nothing wrong — other than being in the “wrong neighborhood with the wrong skin tone,” as his lawyer put it.
But here’s where things flipped:
➡️ Not only did the lawsuit go through — Sgt. Henderson got suspended mid-trial.
➡️ AND the city launched an internal investigation into dozens of his past cases.
“I wasn’t just fighting for me,” said the man, 26-year-old Malik Daniels.
“I was fighting for every time someone like me got stopped, questioned, or cuffed just for existing.”*
The courtroom reportedly erupted in applause when the judge allowed the lawsuit to proceed as a civil rights case, not just wrongful arrest. Sgt. Henderson’s lawyers looked shook.
The twist?
Malik’s now being offered speaking gigs and legal internships — turning a case of injustice into a platform for change.
Social media is calling him a “real-life David vs. Goliath” — and honestly? We’re here for it. 👏🏾
