News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

‘My life will never be the same.’ Brooklyn man files lawsuit after being wrongfully detained by NYPD

Timothy Brown is suing the NYPD and the city for $100 million after being wrongfully detained inside Boerum Hill liquor store.

Molly Bruton

and

Tim Harfmann

Apr 28, 2026, 7:12 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

A Brooklyn man is now suing the city and the NYPD for $100 Million after cellphone video of a violent arrest went viral.

The video from April 14 appeared to show two officers punching and kicking Timothy Brown inside a liquor store in Boerum Hill.

Brown, who hobbled into a news conference with a cane, and his attorneys filed a notice of claim on Tuesday.

“They said, ‘You’re under arrest,’” said Brown. “I said, ‘Why? I haven’t done anything.’”

After the video emerged, police confirmed that Brown was the wrong guy.

“I never resisted arrest, not at all,” said Brown.

The Brooklyn DA’s Office dismissed Brown’s charges.

Brown said he was just buying a bottle of wine after working as a home health aide.

“I felt humiliated, disrespected, embarrassed, and I was brutally beaten for no reason,” Brown said.

As News 12 previously reported, the NYPD said they were already taking steps to address the situation - which is under a 90-day review.

The department also disbanded the entire narcotics module associated with the incident. Both officers and a sergeant are on modified duty.

“We want to see these bad apples removed from the force,” said Derek Sells, Brown’s attorney.

Sells said they want changes to NYPD policies, including body cameras - which police confirmed the officers seen in the viral video should have been wearing.

“They should be required to wear these body-worn cameras at all times,” said Sells.

Brown said that he now fears for his life, is unable to work and suffers from emotional distress. He added that he’s suffering from several injuries, including to his head and right leg.

“What happened to me should not happen to anyone else,” said Brown. “It was wrong and it was disgusting - and my life will never be the same.”

Brown’s family was asked if they had heard directly from the Mamdani administration or NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, to which the family replied ‘no’ and said they’re ‘disgusted by it.’

Mamdani and Tisch previously called the incident “deeply disturbing” - but both the mayor’s office and NYPD declined to comment further on Tuesday, citing the pending litigation.

More Stories

Top Stories

01:57
RTWCHVGreenburghVigilCWilkinson9pm_2026-05-02-21-08-23

'This family meant a lot to all of us.' Greenburgh holds candlelight vigil for apparent murder-suicide victims

02:03
FIRE RISK SPREAD

Hudson Valley Forecast: Dry & breezy Sunday brings elevated risk for fire spread

00:27
WCHVGunstakenKK_2026-05-03-08-21-51

Numerous weapons seized by State Police after Putnam county traffic stop

02:19
RTWCHVNyackWaterMainBreakCWilkinson4pm_2026-05-02-16-32-03

Water main break impacts hundreds of customers in Nyack

01:29
RTWCHVYonkersSmokeAlarmEventJHopwood4pm_2026-05-02-16-32-57

The American Red Cross brings free smoke detectors to Yonkers in new campaign

02:09
spirit airlines

Airlines step in to help Spirit passengers amid travel disruptions

jeff

Monticello man sentenced to 40 years in prison for attempted murder of sheriff’s deputy

02:05
BX12JODI_2026-05-02-12-06-46

Spirit Airlines says it’s going out of business after 34 years and is ending operations immediately

01:13
WC 10P FRI_Rye Brook Brawl_ajc_2026-05-01-22-07-57

Rye Brook residents turn to News 12 after a brawl breaks out on their street

01:41
WC 10P FRI_YonkersFireFolo_ajc_2026-05-01-22-03-48

Helping in the aftermath of Yonkers apartment building fire

01:42
0501murdersuicide_2026-05-01-17-07-46

'It's gonna hurt us as a church.' Pastor of family who died in apparent Greenburgh murder-suicide speaks to News 12

00:51
WC 10P FRI_Bard College_ajc_2026-05-01-22-11-02

Bard College president announces retirement, months after being named in Epstein files

01:43
WC 10P THUR_Murder Suicide_ajc_2026-04-30-22-03-26

Three family members identified in possible Greenburgh murder‑suicide

01:45
WC_5PM_ Child Care Budget_ajc_2026-05-01-17-13-21

Local elected officials call for increased support for childcare

00:30
0501newrorapearrests_2026-05-01-12-29-37

2 men charged with raping and mugging near New Rochelle High School

01:45
0501_WC_5pm_EastRam_ajc_2026-05-01-17-15-35

East Ramapo school board sues state monitors over rejected superintendent pick

01:45
0501drugweapontrafficing_2026-05-01-17-11-55

Mountains of drugs, guns & jewelry seized in multiagency investigation that began in Middletown

00:27
0501pedstrucknewinfo_2026-05-01-12-35-09

New information about the teen struck by a car in Rockland County

00:28
4302026WCteacher_2026-04-30-05-50-46

Westchester teacher charged after alleged grooming of 14‑year‑old student

02:05
512026NJautomimmune_2026-05-01-07-26-50

Breakthrough cancer treatment studied as possible one‑time therapy for autoimmune disease

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices