The family of a 15-year-old in Florida is seeking answers after he suffered a broken arm during a mistaken police takedown. One of the three officers involved has since resigned, and the investigation is ongoing.

What happened to Judah Everage during the police takedown?

According to WESH 2, the incident happened in late June in the area of Eden Park Drive, south of Wickham Park in Melbourne, Florida. William Markle and two other officers from Melbourne Police mistook Judah Everage for another teen and reportedly broke his arm.

Police had responded to a call from the parents of a white 16-year-old wearing black clothing who was having a mental health crisis and wanted their son evaluated under the Baker Act. During their search, officers approached Everage, who is Black, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

Melbourne Police said Everage did not comply with commands to lie on the ground and put his hands behind his back, and they claimed he resisted. Body-camera footage showed Everage on his knees with his hands in the air before one of the officers took him to the ground and handcuffed him, according to a case report obtained by WESH 2.

Everage’s mother, Angela Sparks, said her son was confused about the ordeal and tried to explain that he was not the person they were looking for.

“He’s telling them, ‘I’m not who you’re looking for’ (…) he’s also telling them, ‘My arm, my arm. You’re breaking my arm,'” Sparks told WESH 2.

Details on the police officers’ body-camera footage and what Everage said after the incident

Body-camera footage from two officers showed what happened leading up to the mistaken takedown involving Everage. The footage showed one of the officers talking with the mother of the teen they were searching for, stating that her son needed help for his own safety under Florida law.

Sparks said Everage was walking home when he tried to help police locate the teen, whom he knew, from the neighborhood.

Another officer’s body-camera showed him arriving at the scene, finding two other officers pinning Everage down. The footage also showed Everage trying to explain the situation, saying, “I know Armani, I can explain. I know his mom. I was just in the car with her. I can explain. You were there,” WESH 2 reported.

Markle’s resignation letter and past incidents

In his resignation letter, Markle praised the Melbourne Police Department for everything he had learned during his tenure.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Melbourne Police Department for the invaluable experiences and knowledge I have gained throughout my tenure. The department has provided me with an excellent platform to grow both professionally and personally, and I will forever cherish the memories I have made here,” he wrote, according to WESH 2.

The outlet obtained personal files of the three officers involved in the incident. According to the records, Markle had previously faced complaints over his conduct, including allegations that he acted aggressively toward a man in a Planet Fitness parking lot and failed to turn on his body camera. He was also reprimanded after an ex-partner accused him of harassment.

Is Everage’s family planning to sue the city?

According to Fox 35 Orlando, the family’s attorney said they are seeking damages and could file a federal civil rights lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached.

Civil rights lawyer Daniel Faherty argued that the officers’ body-camera footage showed they did not de-escalate the situation before using force.

“It’s clear why he was so confused about what was happening to him, because no one was in the process of de-escalating the situation,” he said, per Fox 35 Orlando.

Faherty also called for the police department to have proper training for its officers. He also stated that he will not stop until full accountability is taken for what happened to Everage.