Multiple families sue city of Raleigh over 'no-knock' raid on the wrong home
Three families are suing the the city of Raleigh after police officers raided the wrong home in May 2020.
Detective Omar Abdullah led that raid – and was later fired after a string of wrongful drug arrests.
It's a civil rights lawsuit over a "no-knock" warrant, and it's at the center of Emancipate NC's call for change in how the city of Raleigh handles legal claims.
Emancipate NC sent a four-page letter to Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and the city council. The group says their clients are innocent, and the city is essentially victim blaming the three families.
In the families' letter, they accuse the city of using taxpayer money to pay four private law firms. They also claim two city attorneys are using “a defense strategy that has included accusing these innocent mothers and children of criminal wrongdoing and subjected them to a battery of invasive and inappropriate questions.”
The city’s response to that claim is that it has ”…excess insurance coverage that can apply when lawsuits are filed and can cover expenses like those related to attorney’s fees. The city has met the requirements for coverage.”
The city’s attorney says, “We want a fair outcome for all parties involved in this litigation. Responding in kind will not promote justice; in fact, it would jeopardize fairness. Thus, we cannot comment on misrepresentations and material omissions that have been provided to you. Those will be addressed where appropriate in the courts.”
An attorney representing one of the families told WRAL News they have a mediation date set for Feb. 6, where they’re hopeful they can come to a settlement with the city.
Meanwhile, they also have plans to ask for the release of body cam footage from the police raid. Last year, a judge denied the initial request for that.
