‘Who? Me?’: 60-Year-Old New York Grandfather Feared for His Life After Cops Violently Arrested Him on Claims He Fit Description of Black Man 20 Years Younger

It was three days before Christmas when Tyrone Phifer, a then-60-year-old Black man, was assaulted, abused and arrested by police in New York after they said he “fit the description” of another Black man named “Leroy” — who was 20 years his junior. And even when a Nassau County police officer confirmed Phifer’s identification within one minute of confronting him — even addressing him by his first name multiple times — they continued to arrest him. The police incompetence became even more evident when it was revealed the man they were looking for was not even named Leroy but Wilfred Elwin. And their dishonesty became evident through the body camera footage that contradicted statements cops made to prosecutors. Tyrone Phifer was 60 years old when he was arrested by Nassau County police officers in Long Island, New York who were looking for another Black man 20 years younger. Phifer filed a lawsuit last month. (Photo: Police body camera) Last month, Phifer filed a lawsuit against the Nassau County Police Department and the officers involved in his arrest, including Sgt. Daniel Imondi, police officers Patrick McGrath, Quinn R. Knauer and Richard J. Fosbeck as well as Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick...