A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the Blytheville Police Department after body-camera footage surfaced showing an officer deploying a taser on a man during a Fourth of July encounter. Attorneys for the man,Chardrick Mitchell, allege that the officer used excessive force, violated Mitchell’s constitutional rights, and failed to follow established arrest procedures during the confrontation outside an apartment building on East Main Street.
The incident, which quickly escalated from a verbal dispute to the use of a stun gun, has drawn public scrutiny and raised concerns about police reporting accuracy, officer training, and accountability within the department. The officer involved remains on active duty as the lawsuit proceeds through federal court.
Background: A Domestic Dispute Leads to Police Response
The confrontation began on July 4 when police responded to a call involving Mitchell and his live-in girlfriend. According to statements from law enforcement, the girlfriend reported that Mitchell had locked her out of their shared apartment. Body-camera audio supports that officers believed the situation involved an ongoing domestic conflict.
Upon arrival, officers confronted Mitchell outside the apartment building. One officer is heard telling him:
“If she’s living there, you can’t stop her from getting her own clothes.”
The exchange began relatively calmly, but when officers asked Mitchell for his name, he declined to answer. This refusal became the turning point of the encounter.
Tension Escalates as Mitchell Refuses to Identify Himself
The officer warned Mitchell that refusing to provide his name could result in an arrest for obstruction, stating:
“You need to give me your name. If you don’t, I’m going to arrest you for obstruction.”
Rather than complying, Mitchell continued talking to his girlfriend and eventually began walking away from the officers. Mitchell later told local news station WREG that he was simply going to open the apartment door for his girlfriend. Police, however, said they believed Mitchell was attempting to flee.
