The family of Deontae Faison, a San Francisco man who remains unresponsive months after being tased while struggling in the water, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the East Bay Park District officers involved. The incident, which occurred in April at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Park in Oakland, has sparked outrage as Faison’s family alleges the officers violated district policy and failed to provide crucial assistance as he called for help.

According to the lawsuit, the incident began when an officer approached Faison, 35, and a friend regarding expired vehicle tags. Faison, feeling singled out compared to his white friend, gave a false name, leading to an escalation when more officers arrived. Attempting to avoid further confrontation, Faison fled toward the water, where he was subsequently tased from behind, reportedly against district policy on taser use near water.

The complaint details a troubling series of events, including allegations that officers failed to call emergency responders or take witness statements. The lawsuit also claims that officers misrepresented the situation by falsely suggesting Faison was armed, deactivated body camera audio, and discarded his belongings. For over half an hour, Faison was left struggling in the water as officers allegedly stood by without intervention.

Faison’s attorney, Jamir Davis, condemned the officers’ actions as an “unforgivable” display of callousness. “The level of disregard shown by the officers who watched Deontae call for help without aiding him is beyond comprehension,” Davis stated, emphasizing that the family is seeking accountability for what they describe as a “senseless” tragedy.

The incident has left Faison, a father of two, in critical condition. He remains unresponsive in a hospital, with his family and attorneys pursuing justice amid growing questions about the officers’ handling of the case and allegations of racial bias.