71-year-old says officer threw her to the ground during Walmart arrest

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) – Patricia Tarver, 71, and her daughter Amita Spear were cited with disorderly conduct at a Walmart in Bainbridge, Georgia, on Aug. 18, according to a Bainbridge Public Safety report.

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Tarver said another woman threatened her while she was shopping and Spear showed up at Walmart after learning about the threats.

Spear said she arrived to find the other woman holding a Taser, which led to an argument.

Spear said officers handcuffed her shortly after arriving and then threw her mother to the ground.

“He just twist me around and picked me up and throw me down on the floor and sat on me and pushed his knees down in my back,” Tarver said.

Stephanie Ware, Tarver’s other daughter, said she has video showing her mother attempting to leave the area before the confrontation with officers.

Tarver said she had a panic attack at the police department, but was denied her medication. She was later taken to the emergency room by her daughter.

Ware, who is a nurse, said doctors described the incident as “physical abuse of the elderly” after watching the video.

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Tarver’s shoulder was swollen, and she required MRIs. She has since been prescribed antidepressants and referred to counseling.

Tarver’s hospital discharge paperwork also described the incident as “physical abuse of the elderly.”

“Now I can’t go back in there no more because I have flashbacks,” Tarver said.

Bainbridge Public Safety Police Chief Redell Walton said they are doing an internal investigation.

Walton said he has seen a short video of the encounter but has not yet reviewed the full body camera footage. He said the department would not comment further until the internal investigation is complete to ensure no laws or policies are violated.

“We just want to make sure that no laws were broken, no policy was violated,” Walton said. “That’s what we’re trying to do right now.”

When asked about the incident, a Walmart press representative said, “The safety of our associates and customers is a top priority. We defer any further questions to law enforcement.”

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