A week after an unarmed black teen was forcefully arrested by white deputies, nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and NAACP leaders are calling for criminal charges to be filed against the cops.
Fifteen-year-old Delucca “Lucca” Rolle was pepper-sprayed in the face and slammed to the ground outside a McDonald’s in Tamarac after school let out on April 18 at Taravella High. One deputy punched Rolle and bashed his face into the pavement, leaving with him with a fractured nose.
The incident, captured on a cellphone recording that’s drawn millions of views on social media, has sparked national outrage amid claims of police brutality.
“That video shows who really committed the crime that day,” family attorney Crump said Thursday during a news conference at the Broward County courthouse.
Rolle initially faced criminal charges, including assault of an officer, resisting arrest and trespassing.
But on Tuesday, state prosecutors said they were not filing charges against Rolle. Instead, the actions of the deputies are now under investigation by the Broward State Attorney’s Office.
The teen’s mom, Clintina Rolle, said she was heartbroken over the way her son was treated.
“Thank God that my son is alive, that they didn’t call to tell me he was dead,” she told reporters before breaking down into tears.
Her son, who did not attend the news conference, has not wanted to talk about what happened that day, she said.
On Tuesday, the Broward Sheriff’s Office suspended two of the deputies involved in the incident: Deputy Christopher Krickovich and Sgt. Greg LaCerra. The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of a third deputy seen in the video.
Sheriff Gregory Tony has promised a thorough investigation.
Deputies arrested another teen that day, before turning their attention to Rolle.
Students at the scene say Rolle got caught in the melee after walking over to pick up a phone dropped by the teen during his arrest.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554. Find her on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan.