(WKYT) – The family of an 84-year-old man says he suffered multiple injuries, including broken vertebrae, after an encounter with Lancaster police officers at his home on Friday.
Ronnie Lee Maples said his grandfather, Ronald, had ongoing issues with neighbors over them driving through his property, which led Ronald to call Lancaster police multiple times in the past.
Maples said officers showed up at Ronald’s door on Friday.
“After he noticed they were there, he went to the door to answer the door and as he’s opening the door for them, the screen door, not the main door but the screen door, they pull it open and essentially pulled him out of the door with it,” Maples said.
Grandson describes injuries
Maples said Ronald can remember pieces of what happened next.
“He just knows they were on top of him, he said he knew one of them punched him in the head, but they had him down on his belly, on his back, up on top of him. I’m assuming that’s what caused the broke vertebras in his back,” Maples said.
Maples said his grandfather has four broken vertebrae, a fractured jaw and cuts on his hands, among other injuries. Maples said Ronald now needs around-the-clock care.
“He’s in a very sad place right now because he went from being able to walk from his house, get to his car, go to places and live the last parts of his life that he earned — he can’t no more. An 84-year-old, these injuries, he might not heal from these,” Maples said.
Investigation underway
Lancaster police have not responded to a request for comment on the situation. The Lancaster mayor released a statement on social media saying an internal investigation is underway and that three officers have been placed on administrative suspension pending the investigation’s outcome.
Maples said the family is seeking legal representation regarding the incident and that the situation raises questions about excessive force by law enforcement.
“If this is just swept under a rug, or pushed to a side, what good does that do? What lessons are learned in this by them? Because what if its the next person’s grandmother or the next person’s father? He’s my dad’s father. It could be anybody,” Maples said.