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Black man grabbing tea from car shot by New Jersey police and paralyzed, lawsuit says

A black man in New Jersey was shot and paralyzed by plain-clothed officers after grabbing iced tea from a car.

According to the civil suit, Jajuan R. Henderson was getting a drink from a car that was parked outside of his home.

Jajuan Henderson, 29, in a family photo. (NBC Philadelphia)
Jajuan Henderson, 29, in a family photo. (NBC Philadelphia)

A group of men in dark clothing and masks drove a car that was parked in a parallel position. Henderson didn't know who the men were.

Henderson tried to use his phone to call for help after the men yelled out of their vehicle.

Henderson was shot four times when one of the men smashed the driver's side window.

The lawsuit said that the group of men were from the Trenton Police Department.

A black man sitting in a car at midnight on a cell phone was all the police needed to smash the driver's side window. The police used lethal force and shot Jajuan in the neck even though he was not threatening or threatening his own life. It is a miracle that Jajuan is alive.

The suit said Henderson is now paralyzed from the chest down.

The city of Trenton, the director of the police department, and four officers were named as defendants.

Wilson didn't respond to requests for comment Friday. The city did not comment on the lawsuit.

An attorney for Henderson told NBC News on Friday that there are many unknowns in the case.

Body camera footage has not been released to the public. The identities of the responding officers have not been made public.

Once the initial use-of-force is substantially complete, video footage should be released publicly, according to a directive from the attorney general.

It's very frustrating. Demeri said that the family has a right to be transparent.

A spokesman for the city and police department declined to comment beyond saying an investigation was ongoing.

The Attorney General's review of the February 12 incident has been fully complied with by the City of Trenton.

The state Attorney General's Office has deferred a separate probe into the actions of the officers because of a conflict of interest.

Henderson was paralyzed and was charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice. The charges of assault with a deadly weapon were dropped by the prosecutor.

The office of the prosecutor is still prosecuting Henderson for resisting arrest and obstruction. The charges of assault with a deadly weapon were dismissed.

The police perspective on what preceded the shooting is detailed in an affidavit filed against Henderson.

According to the affidavit, the street crime units of the Trenton police tried to stop the car on the night of the incident.

Henderson refused to obey orders to roll down the window and exit the vehicle, according to the affidavit. He couldn't provide a driver's license or proof of insurance, the affidavit said.

The car belonged to the mother of Henderson's child, according to his lawsuit.

An officer broke the driver's window when Henderson refused to stop reaching under the backseat. According to the affidavit, Henderson tried to flee and struck two parked cars while officers were close by.

Henderson's lawsuit said it was impossible for him to flee because the car was boxed in between three other vehicles and a utility pole on the passenger side.

No officers were hurt. The four officers were put on leave.

Henderson is a fighter who is trying to gain mobility. He has a long way to go.

Demeri said his client acted like most people would.

Anyone in that situation would be very frightened.

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