Lawyer: Selden family suing NYPD officer for $20 million over road rage incident

The lawyer representing a Selden family says his clients are suing an NYPD officer for $20 million over a road rage incident.

News 12 Staff

Aug 17, 2022, 9:52 PM

Updated 857 days ago

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The lawyer representing a Selden family says his clients are suing an NYPD officer for $20 million over a road rage incident.
According to David Woycik, a lawyer for the Tyme family, NYPD officer Douglas Debonet, 32, pulled a gun on his neighbor, Devon Tyme, while on the family’s property. Woycik says Debonet was demanding to speak with a member of the family, Dillon Tyme.
The family claims the officer, who lives in Suffolk County, was following their son's car earlier in the day because he believed his home was being canvassed.
Debonet then punched the side mirror of Dillon Tyme's car while he was stopped at a light, according to the Tyme family.
"We really don't feel safe," Devon Tyme says.
The family now has an order of protection against Debonet.
Woyick claims that the Tymes' civil rights were violated and that they are the only Black family on the block.
"It is really scary what we people of color have to put up with," Devon Tyme says.
Debonet declined to speak to News 12 on camera, bus his neighbor claims the wrong picture of the officer is being painted.
Suffolk County police arrested Debonet for harassment and menacing.
The family is hoping additional charges are added, including violation of civil rights and unauthorized use of a weapon, trespassing and assault.
"I think there is more to the story than what is being put out there," says Shaun Coon.
News 12 reached out to the NYPD for a statement and has not heard back as of 5 p.m.