Oklahoma City, OK — A federal lawsuit has been filed against a former Oklahoma City police officer, the City of Oklahoma City, and the state’s Attorney General, following a controversial incident in which a 71-year-old man, Lich Vu, was allegedly injured during a traffic stop. The lawsuit, filed in Oklahoma’s Western U.S. District Court, claims excessive force and civil rights violations during the October 27, 2024, encounter between Vu and former police sergeant Joseph Gibson.
The Incident
The incident unfolded during a routine traffic stop in October when Gibson attempted to issue a citation to Vu. Body camera footage from the encounter reveals a tense exchange between the officer and the elderly man, who spoke limited English and had a primary language of Vietnamese. According to the footage, Vu, frustrated by his inability to fully understand the citation, became agitated and told Gibson to “shut up.” He also reportedly made contact with Gibson, striking him lightly on the chest with the back of his hand.
Rather than de-escalating the situation, Gibson allegedly responded by threatening to arrest Vu if he refused to sign the citation. What followed was a dramatic escalation: Gibson reportedly slammed Vu to the ground, causing the elderly man to suffer severe injuries, including a brain bleed and several facial fractures.
Allegations of Excessive Force
The lawsuit, filed by prominent civil rights attorney Devon Jacob, claims that Gibson’s actions were not only unnecessary but also violated standard law enforcement protocols regarding the use of force. According to experts in police de-escalation, the amount of force Gibson used was excessive, particularly given Vu’s advanced age and frail health. The lawsuit argues that Gibson’s actions deviated from training on controlled take-down techniques, which are designed to ensure the safety of both officers and those being detained.
Court documents also highlight the cultural and language barriers between Vu and Gibson, with Vu’s attorney arguing that the officer should have recognized that Vu’s frustration was likely due to limited vocabulary and emotional upset, not intentional disrespect. Instead, the lawsuit claims that Gibson misunderstood Vu’s actions as defiance, leading to an excessive use of force.
Vu’s Injuries
The extent of Vu’s injuries, which were outlined for the first time in the lawsuit, was severe. Vu reportedly sustained a brain bleed, multiple skull and facial fractures, and a broken neck, including fractures to the uppermost vertebrae. His injuries also led to blurred vision, cognitive decline, and ongoing physical pain. These injuries were further complicated by Vu’s pre-existing poor health, making the incident all the more tragic.
The lawsuit points out that Vu was defenseless when he was slammed to the ground, unable to break his fall or protect his head, neck, or face from injury.
Gibson’s Denial and the Police Report
Following the incident, Gibson filed a police report claiming that Vu had fallen to the ground and hit his head. However, according to court documents, this account was contradicted by the body camera footage and the statements made by medical personnel who arrived on the scene. The lawsuit alleges that Gibson’s report intentionally misrepresented the events of the incident to cover up his use of excessive force. Furthermore, the report repeatedly stated that Vu “fell” while Gibson was attempting to handcuff him, despite no physical evidence supporting this claim.
Role of the Oklahoma Attorney General
In addition to naming Gibson as a defendant, the lawsuit also targets Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is accused of failing to uphold law enforcement training standards. The suit contends that Drummond, as the state’s chief law enforcement officer, had the responsibility to ensure police officers in Oklahoma were properly trained to handle situations like the one that occurred with Vu.
Drummond’s decision to drop felony assault charges against Gibson, despite the District Attorney’s push to pursue charges, is a key point of contention in the lawsuit. Drummond’s office argued that Gibson acted within the scope of his training and that Vu’s actions, such as touching Gibson, warranted the officer’s response. However, this stance has drawn criticism, with the lawsuit asserting that the use of force was disproportionate and unlawful.
Support for Gibson
The Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has expressed support for Gibson, standing by his actions during the incident. Mark Nelson, president of the local FOP chapter, stated that the union supported Gibson’s resignation from the police force, which occurred after the incident. However, questions remain regarding whether an internal investigation into the event was completed before Gibson’s resignation. The Oklahoma City Police Department has not provided clarity on the matter, and both Police Chief Ron Bacy and Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman declined interviews when asked about the investigation in March.
Legal Action and Civil Rights Advocacy
The lawsuit, filed by Devon Jacob, who is known for his involvement in high-profile civil rights cases, marks a significant step in holding law enforcement accountable for actions that the plaintiffs allege violated Vu’s civil rights. Jacob, who previously served as a Deputy Attorney General in Pennsylvania, stated that the filing of this lawsuit is part of an ongoing effort to address police misconduct and ensure that justice is served for those harmed by excessive use of force.
Jacob’s firm represents both Lich Vu and his wife, Lan Nguyen Vu, who is also named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. She is acting as Lich Vu’s guardian due to his injuries, which have left him in a state of ongoing medical distress.
The Broader Implications
The lawsuit is not just about the actions of one police officer; it raises broader questions about police training, accountability, and the need for officers to understand the cultural and language differences that can contribute to conflicts during routine law enforcement interactions. The use of force, particularly against vulnerable individuals like the elderly, is a central issue, and the case is likely to draw attention from civil rights advocates and law enforcement experts alike.
As the lawsuit moves forward, it will be closely watched for its potential impact on police policies, training standards, and how cases of excessive force are handled in Oklahoma and beyond. The outcome could have significant implications for future interactions between law enforcement and the public, especially in communities with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
