Black Florida teen suffered broken arm after police stopped the wrong person
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Judah Everage’s family says the 15-year-old repeatedly tried to explain officers had stopped the wrong teenager.
A Florida family is demanding accountability after 15-year-old Judah Everage suffered a broken arm when police mistakenly identified him as another teenager during a welfare search. Weeks after body camera footage of the incident surfaced, one of the officers involved has resigned while the department continues its internal review.
The incident occurred in June in Melbourne, Florida. Officers were responding to a call involving a 16-year-old whose parents wanted him evaluated under the Baker Act. Instead, officers confronted 15-year-old Judah Everage, despite the Florida teen reportedly not matching the description of the person they were searching for. Police had been looking for a Latino teenager described as wearing black clothing, while Judah was dressed in blue jeans and a white shirt and is Black. According to police, Judah failed to comply with commands and resisted officers. However, body camera footage reviewed by local media paints a more complicated picture.
As reported by WESH2, the video shows Judah Everage on his knees with his hands raised before an officer forces him to the ground and handcuffs him. His mother, Angela Sparks, says her son repeatedly tried to explain the mistake.
“He’s telling them, ‘I’m not who you’re looking for,’” Sparks said. She also recalled hearing her son plead with officers during the takedown. “He’s also telling them, ‘My arm, my arm. You’re breaking my arm.’” Another officer’s body camera captured the Florida teen explaining that he knew the teenager officers were actually searching for. “I know Armani, I can explain. I know his mom,” he said.
Officer William Markle, one of the three officers involved, resigned from the Melbourne Police Department. The resignation comes as WESH obtained records showing Markle had previously faced complaints involving aggressive conduct. Melbourne Police says it is conducting a full review of the incident but has not announced whether any further disciplinary action will be taken.