A Thanksgiving Day encounter at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has led to the arrest of three family members after an altercation involving a 73-year-old man and a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy. Richard Messina was at the airport to pick up his son Anthony and pregnant daughter-in-law Sara when the incident took place. A body camera footage released by the family's attorney captured the series of events, where a citation issued by the deputy escalated into a physical confrontation, Local10 reported.
According to the video detailed by Local10, Richard Messina received a ticket from the deputy while waiting at the airport. Shortly thereafter, the situation became volatile as the deputy claimed that Messina tried to drive away, dragging him along. This led to a scuffle where the deputy reportedly punched Richard in the face, resulting in his loss of consciousness and hospitalization.
The incident didn't end with Richard Messina's injury; his son Anthony and Sara also got entangled in the debacle, with Sara seen in the video loudly protesting the deputy’s actions and claiming her pregnancy, as corroborated by WSVN's coverage. WSVN reported that during the struggle, all three family members were charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, spending their holiday behind bars instead of having a family meal.
In a statement obtained by WSVN, the family's attorney, Yale Sanford, voiced his perspective on the incident, "This entire situation could have been avoided with clear communication, simple human decency, and an understanding of the individuals involved." Reflecting on the harsh turn of events, he added, "Instead of spending Thanksgiving as a family, Mr. Messina, his son, and his six-month pregnant wife spent Thanksgiving in jail.” His remarks underscored the contention that proper communication could have mitigated the confrontation.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office has remained tight lipped about the deputy's current standing, only revealing that the case has been sent to the Use of Force Review Board. As public scrutiny intensifies on the use of force by law enforcement, especially against the elderly, the community eagerly awaits the review board's findings and whether any measures will be taken concerning the deputy's conduct during a routine traffic stop turned violent arrest.
