A Pennsylvania father is speaking out after his son was handcuffed and detained by an officer who said he looked suspicious for wearing a jacket in warm weather.
Jessie Lopez Sr. shared videos on Instagram this week showing his son, Jessie Lopez Jr., being approached and ultimately detained by a law enforcement officer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
In the first video, an officer is seen approaching the teen and questioning him about his jacket before telling him he was conducting a stop because he had walked in front of a vehicle while crossing the road.
In a second video, Jessie Jr. can be seen sitting in the back of a police vehicle, in handcuffs.
In posts on his Instagram account (@nourriddene39), Lopez Sr. said his son had a medical reason for wearing the hooded jacket despite the warm weather. "He was wearing a hooded jacket because he suffers from eczema, and direct sunlight aggravates his skin condition," Lopez Sr. said. "Although it was warm outside, there was a legitimate medical reason for him wearing his hood."
Lopez Sr. described the incident on Instagram, writing: "Today my son had his first encounter with the police in Williamsport. They said he looked suspicious because he had his hood up and a jacket on. If you know me, you know I don't play when it comes to my kids, they're not out here causing trouble."
He said his son ended up handcuffed and detained "because he didn't want to stop and answer their questions."
Lopez Sr. added: "As a father, my job is to protect him, guide him, and prepare him for situations like this. Whether you agree with how it was handled or not, I'd rather have these conversations now than regret not having them later."
In a follow-up post, Lopez Sr. reflected on seeing his son in the back of that car. "Just looking at my son's face sitting in the back of that car hurts my heart, man," he wrote. "As a father, that's a moment I never wanted him to experience. You spend your life trying to protect your kids, teach them right, and keep them safe. Seeing him go through something like that is a feeling I wouldn't wish on any parent."
After videos of the encounter spread on social media, the Williamsport Bureau of Police released a statement clarifying that the officer involved was not from their department.
"We want to clarify that the stop was not conducted by the Williamsport Bureau of Police, and we do not have any information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident," the statement read.
The department identified the officer as belonging to the Lycoming County District Attorney's Office, and directed any questions to that agency.
"The officer involved is part of the Lycoming County District Attorney's Office. Any questions or concerns regarding this incident should be directed to that office, as they are the agency responsible for the investigation and any additional information," the statement said.
The Lycoming County District Attorney's Office has not publicly responded to requests for comment.
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