A driver for “Gray’s Anatomy” is accusing LAPD of racial profiling after officers pulled him over at gunpoint and arrested him in entrance of the forged and crew … solely to find they’d the incorrect man.
Ernest Simon Jr., who’s Black, says he’d simply dropped off crew members close to a Tarzana, CA set in March 2021 when he bought pulled over. In a lawsuit filed Thursday, he says officers instructed him an automatic license plate reader linked his automobile to a stolen BMW sedan, which was fairly surprising to Ernest … as a result of, on the time, he was driving a Ford van rented by Disney.
Ernest says the car parking zone attendant the place he’d pulled over instructed the cops Ernest was a part of the ‘Gray’s’ crew … nonetheless, with weapons drawn, they made him lie face down on the asphalt, and even known as for backup. Within the swimsuit, obtained by TMZ, he says no fewer than 7 cop vehicles raced to the scene … and he claims in addition they known as for helicopter assist.
Different crew members acknowledged what was taking place, and Ernest says they tried explaining to cops they’d the incorrect man — however in docs, he says cops solely yelled at them “Get out of the road of fireside.” He says that, mixed with the actual fact he was Black, had him terrified he was about to get shot.
Now handcuffed, whereas nonetheless mendacity on the bottom … Ernest claims the loopy scene went on for about half-hour. Based on his lawsuit, it solely ended when a white male co-worker reiterated to officers they’d the incorrect man — which is identical story he claims a Black male co-worker had already instructed cops, however to no avail.
At that time, cops took off the cuffs and launched Ernest, however he would not suppose it is a coincidence this occurred in Tarzana — an L.A. suburb, the place he factors out the inhabitants is 70.7 p.c white, and solely 3.6 p.c Black.
He is now suing LAPD and the town of Los Angeles for $20 million, claiming they racially profiled him, violated his 4th Modification rights and used extreme pressure.