A Washington motorcyclist has filed a federal lawsuit after he was held at gunpoint by a plain-clothes officer who failed to identify himself as law enforcement.
The video below was taken by Alex Radall’s GoPro helmet cam. It went viral last August after King County Sheriff’s detective Richard Rowe pointed a Glock at him and said “I’m going to knock you off this bike.”
Rowe, dressed in a plain green shirt, failed to identify himeself as a law enforcement office when he confronted Radall for what he considered “reckless high-speed driving.”
Last week Radall filed a civil lawsuit against both Rowe and the county. The formal complaint accuses Rowe of illegal search and siezure after he removed Radall’s wallet without consent while holding the motorcyclist at gunpoint. The lawsuit argues that Rowe had no legal justification for the search or for drawing his firearm and failed to properly identify himself.
Recently elected King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, who replaced the Sheriff responsible for Rowe’s investigation, suspended Rowe for five days. No charges have been filed against Rowe King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Watch the video below. Do you agree with the motorcyclist’s complaint about detective Rowe’s misconduct?