An Army Veteran for the United States Military has filed suit against three Kennesaw, Georgia police officers last week alleging they fabricated evidence to retaliate and arrest him for criticizing how they handled an incident he called them to handle.
The incident involved a man who pulled a gun on him and his friends.
Matthew Solon disarmed the man, but was subsequently arrested for what some say was a heroic act that may have saved the life of his friends.
On June 26, 2017 Solon was out with friends at a sports bar when he says he was approached by Dwight Cooper, who was belligerently drunk and threatening Solon and his friends with a gun.
Solon drew on his military training to disarm Cooper and dialed 911.
When Kennesaw police officers arrived, Solon was arrested and Cooper was transported to the hospital.
Cooper and Solon were both charged with misdemeanors and felonies for possession of a firearm during the commission of crimes, according to Boston 25 News.
That’s why Solon’s arrest is in dispute.
Kennesaw police officer Joshua Hale wrote in his report that Solon disobeyed orders after officer arrived on the scene and that Solon stated he took Cooper’s gun and struck him in the head with it, “so he would stay down.”
However, Solon claims that’s a lie.
His lawsuit alleges police fabricated that statement, so the could arrest him after he criticized how they handled the incident.
Criminal charges against Solon were eventually dropped, but charges against Cooper are currently pending.
“I thought I did everything right,” Solon recalled in an interview about the incident.
“I unloaded the weapon, I eliminated the threat, called the police, gave him medical attention, everything, and when the police arrive they acted like I’m the criminal here.”
Solon, who filed the lawsuit last week, is seeking a jury trial and damages.
Video of the incident can be seen above, with additional coverage and videos below.
