Former NFL Player Seeks Damages After Airport Detainment

In Phoenix, Arizona, former NFL linebacker Wesley Leasy is pursuing a lawsuit for $2 million after he and his daughter were mistakenly detained at gunpoint by police at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The incident occurred on April 10 when Leasy was picking up his 26-year-old daughter.

According to the legal claims filed last week, police officers pointed their weapons at Leasy and handcuffed both him and his daughter after mistaking Leasy’s white Mercedes for a vehicle linked to a nearby shooting. The claims detail that officers witnessed a typical father-daughter reunion but chose to escalate the situation.

The notice filed mentions, “Police Officers witnessed a standard/common Father and daughter reunion at the Airport and then drew their weapons, forcing them both to the ground, handcuffing both of them, and utterly refusing to take the context of the situation into account.” This incident left both Leasy and his daughter struggling with the aftermath of their public detainment.

At the time, authorities described the shooting suspect as “possibly a white male, wearing a black mask and black sweats,” while both Leasy and his daughter are Black. The Mesa police later acknowledged that the officers involved likely did not have the full picture before the detainment. They stated, “after speaking with the occupants, it was determined they did not match the description of the shooter, and they were released.”

Body camera footage, referenced in the lawsuit, included an officer making light comments, stating, “That’s not how you want to get picked up from the airport.” Just days later, a 19-year-old white male was arrested as the actual suspect in the shooting.

Speaking about his experience, Leasy expressed, “I’m 6’4”, 240 pounds, and I’m a nice-looking man, but I’m dark skin. And there’s never been a confusion between a Caucasian and myself.”

Leasy’s attorney, Benjamin Taylor, mentioned that both Leasy and his daughter have sought therapy due to the trauma from the incident. Taylor stated, “This has traumatized Mr. Leasy and his daughter for the rest of their lives.” Representatives from the police departments and the airport have declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.