Nationwide — Erin Cowser, a 17-year-old African American girl from San Bernardino County, California, was allegedly slammed face-first onto concrete by a police officer in May 2025, leaving her unconscious with serious injuries. Her family says the officer later gave a false account of what happened.
The incident has led to a civil rights lawsuit filed against the San Bernardino Police Department and several officers. The complaint accuses law enforcement of using excessive force and attempting to cover up what took place.
According to EURWeb, the filing states Cowser was unarmed and compliant when an officer approached from behind, grabbed her backpack, restrained her arms, and forcefully pushed her face-first onto the pavement. She allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury, memory loss, a deep facial laceration that required stitches, and additional wrist and back injuries.
The lawsuit states that body camera footage and bystander video conflict with the officers’ version of events. It also claims officers told Cowser’s family that other juveniles were responsible for her injuries and repeated that explanation internally, even after video evidence surfaced. One officer later admitted to providing false information during a use-of-force review, but the department did not issue a public correction.
Cowser said she recalls little from the attack. “I remember being terrified — and then I don’t remember anything at all,” she said. “I woke up hurt, confused, and being told things that I later learned weren’t true about what happened to me.”
Civil rights attorneys and activists have criticized the department. The lawsuit includes claims under the Bane Civil Rights Act and Ralph Civil Rights Act, along with allegations of assault, battery, and negligence.
Najee Ali, a civil rights advocate, called the alleged assault “unacceptable” and said the officer should face criminal charges. “This was not a mistake — it was violence, followed by dishonesty,” he added.