School cop ‘unnecessarily’ body-slams, then arrests 17-year-old, GA lawsuit says
A Georgia resident is suing his former high school, saying the school’s then-chief of police “unnecessarily” body-slammed him “to the ground” and wrongly arrested him when he was a 17-year-old student nearly two years ago.
Omauri Stephens’ lawsuit also names the DeKalb County School District; its police department and former chief of police, Bradley Gober; and three unidentified school resource officers as defendants.
“This is a deeply disturbing case involving the alleged abuse of authority and a blatant disregard for the safety and rights of a minor student and their family,” attorney Thomas W. Sizemore, who represents Stephens, said in a news release.
In a statement to McClatchy News on June 1, the DeKalb County School District’s deputy chief communications officer, Jennifer Caracciolo, said that the district “is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.”
“The district does not comment on pending litigation,” the statement added.
Gober, while the school district’s police chief, physically assaulted Stephens “without justification” at Redan High School in Stone Mountain on Aug. 31, 2023, according to a civil complaint Stephens filed on May 28. The school is about a 15-mile drive east from Atlanta.
While speaking with WSB about what led to the incident, Stephens’ family said Gober got physical with Stephens after he made a few comments while passing by a female student involved in a fight.
“Following the assault,” the complaint says Stephens “was unlawfully arrested by Defendant Bradley Gober without probable cause or justification.”
No staff member from the school district alerted Stephens’ family that Gober had assaulted and taken him into custody, according to the filing.
Stephens was arrested on obstruction-related charges and spent about three days detained in the DeKalb County Jail, Sizemore told McClatchy News on May 30.
His father, Richard Stephens, told Atlanta News First that he wants “to see justice, whatever justice looks like for this situation.”
Gober was placed on leave, with pay, after the incident, WSB reported.
Omauri Stephens, who lives in DeKalb County, is demanding a jury trial on claims of excessive force, “failure to notify (a) parent (negligence),” negligent supervision and training and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the complaint shows.
The force Gober used against the then-teen caused “physical injuries, emotional distress, and psychological trauma,” the filing says.
“The conduct of defendant Bradley Gober in body-slamming and wrongfully arresting plaintiff, as well as not notifying plaintiff’s parent/guardian of the arrest, the conduct was so extreme and outrageous that it exceeds all bounds of decency typically tolerated in a civilized society,” the complaint also states.
Stephens seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
In a statement, Sizemore said his law firm, Go Big Injury Law, is “committed to holding all responsible parties accountable and ensuring justice is served for the profound harm inflicted upon this young pupil.”
Go Big Injury Law has several Georgia offices, including in Atlanta, Columbus and Macon, as well as in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM with the headline "School cop ‘unnecessarily’ body-slams, then arrests 17-year-old, GA lawsuit says."
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