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‘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

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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.

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