Man shot by police two years ago files federal lawsuit

A man who was shot by police after allegedly attacking people on a bus two years ago is suing the city.

Ismaaeel Jamison, 30, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court and also listed unknown police officers as defendants.

Jamison was riding a northbound No. 94 California bus in the 6200 block of South California on Nov. 22, 2012 when he got into an argument with a passenger and the bus driver, the suit claims.

But authorities said the incident involved more than an argument. Jamison assaulted at least one passenger, was drunk and was generally “acting crazy,” according to a CTA spokeswoman and Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden.

Jamison said he was experiencing “a malady with physical manifestations of an unknown origin” when the argument happened, causing him to take off his shirt and talk incoherently.

A bus alarm was triggered, and a passenger who got off the bus flagged down a police vehicle with a lone evidence technician inside.

The uniformed officer walked toward Jamison and yelled, “Stop. Police,” but Jamison kept approaching the officer, who shot him once, Camden said at the time. Jamision stumbled back and then came at the officer again, who shot him a second time.

Other officers then arrived and needed to deploy a Taser on Jamison when he resisted arrest, Camden said. The officers needed to use the Taser a second time to get him into an ambulance.

But Jamison claims he was Tasered even though he was trying to get to his knees after being shot.

The suit also claims a camera at the scene recorded the whole incident and shows a sergeant standing on Jamison after he was shot. It also shows a police officer kicking him so hard that he had to turn over on to his back from lying face down, the suit said.

Jamison, of the 6600 block of South Sacramento Avenue, a passenger and the bus driver were all taken to hospitals for treatment.

Jamison was later charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery. He was also facing misdemeanor counts of aggravated assault to a police officer and resisting arrest.

The status of that case was unknown Wednesday night.

A spokesman for the city’s Department of Law said he could not comment because the lawsuit has not yet been reviewed.

The five-count suit alleges police used excessive force and inflicted emotional distress on Jamison, among other claims.

Jamison is requesting an unspecified amount in damages and compensation for legal fees.