Nationwide — Ke’Nadie Cathey, a 14-year-old African American girl from North Carolina, suffered a brain injury after a school resource officer body-slammed her during a fight outside West Charlotte High School. An internal investigation later led to a two-day unpaid suspension, and the officer remained employed.
Officer Hasun Rogers responded to a report of a fight after school dismissal at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. A large crowd formed in the parking lot as students ran toward the area. Police say Rogers used his Taser in an attempt to control the crowd before he moved in on Cathey during the chaos.
According to Atlanta Black Star, a viral video shows Rogers grabbing Cathey amid the disturbance, lifting her off the ground, and throwing her onto the pavement while still holding his stun gun. Witnesses said she immediately lost consciousness and later suffered a seizure after the impact.
Cathey’s mother, Shakera Rorie, said her daughter had been involved in a fight at school before officers intervened. She said the family did not expect the level of force used and only learned the full extent of her injuries through medical evaluations and legal counsel.
Attorney Michael Littlejohn said Cathey suffered a serious brain injury linked to the incident. He questioned how quickly the situation escalated and raised concerns about the force used on a 14-year-old during a school disturbance.
An internal affairs review conducted months later examined Rogers’ actions. Records show he received a two-day unpaid suspension and was removed from his role as a school resource officer. He was not terminated and later returned to duty.
A letter from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police leadership detailed the events leading up to the incident, including warnings of a possible gang-related fight and a rapidly growing crowd after dismissal. It also confirmed Rogers called for medical assistance after Cathey became unresponsive.
The incident drew widespread attention after the video circulated online, with public opinion divided over the officer’s response. Cathey’s family has since called for accountability, though it is still unclear whether they will pursue legal action.