Black Student Beaten by Ohio Cops and Bar Staff After Entering 'Wrong' Door, Lawsuit Claims

A Night of Conflict: The Incident at Brick Street Bar

It was after midnight when Devin Johnson, a 20-year-old student and football player at Miami University, entered a bar in Ohio. His night took a dramatic turn when he was shoved out by several employees, leading to a physical altercation that ended with police involvement.

Johnson had been celebrating with his teammates after securing a spot in the Mid-American Conference championship game. However, during this celebration, he stepped out of the Brick Street bar in Oxford for fresh air. According to a federal lawsuit filed on November 18, he had already paid a cover charge to enter the bar.

When he tried to re-enter through a gated door, it was locked. He then attempted to use another exit but found it locked as well. After walking down the sidewalk, he approached another gate where two women were exiting. As he tried to follow them, he was confronted by bar employees who pushed him back outside.

The incident escalated quickly. Employees began shoving Johnson down the sidewalk, eventually tackling him to the ground. At this point, an Oxford police officer arrived and began punching Johnson several times on the back of his head.

Details of the Encounter

According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on the evening of November 18, 2023, which spilled into the early hours of Saturday morning. The bar was crowded with college students celebrating Miami University’s victory over the University of Buffalo.

The video footage, which contains no audio, shows Johnson being held down on the ground by bar employees. Two Oxford police officers, Matthew Blauvelt and Paul Hellwarth, then joined in the assault. Officer Blauvelt delivered three closed-fisted strikes to the back of Johnson’s head and neck, even though he had not yet identified himself as a police officer or given any instructions to Johnson.

The lawsuit claims that Johnson was not a threat to anyone at the time and was unable to sit up or stand. Despite this, he was forcibly pushed to the ground by Blauvelt, who continued to punch him without any warning.

Legal Consequences and Public Reaction

Johnson was charged with assault, resisting arrest, underage intoxication, and criminal trespass. He was found guilty of assault and resisting arrest but not guilty of the underage drinking charge. The trespass charge resulted in a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a verdict.

In the spring of 2024, Johnson was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine for the misdemeanor charges. However, the lawsuit does not challenge these convictions but rather focuses on the manner in which he was physically assaulted.

The lawsuit also accuses the bar owner, Mark Weisman, of having a “private security force” provided by the city. It further claims that Weisman refused to release video footage from the bar, stating that none of the cameras captured the incident.

However, a video recorded by a witness showing the cop punching Johnson went viral on TikTok in December 2023, leading to Blauvelt being placed on administrative leave. The bar owners later released videos of the incident, claiming they did not do so earlier because it was not “relevant.”

Aftermath and Impact

Despite the legal proceedings, the incident has left a lasting impact on Johnson. He has since transferred to Indiana State University, where he plays defensive end for the school’s football team. However, the events of November 18, 2023, have caused him to experience anxiety, PTSD, and stress due to his encounters with the police.

The lawsuit argues that the actions of the bar staff and police officers were excessive and violated Johnson’s Fourth Amendment rights. It emphasizes that the force used against him was objectively unreasonable, especially considering the minor nature of the charges for which he was convicted.

This case highlights the complex interactions between private security, law enforcement, and individuals in public spaces. It raises important questions about the use of force, the responsibilities of bar staff, and the need for transparency in such incidents.