A federal lawsuit claims that local law enforcement officers used excessive force, unlawfully detained a citizen, and denied him medical care during an encounter at a gas station in October 2025. The complaint was filed by Ishman Hunter in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on March 10, 2026, naming the City of Houston, the Houston Police Department, and twenty unidentified police officers as defendants.
According to court documents, Hunter alleges that on October 3, 2025, he was driving along S. Post Oak Road in Houston when he stopped at a gas station to use the restroom. While inside the store, he was approached by a police officer who instructed him to return to his vehicle for an alleged speeding violation. Hunter states that after requesting permission to use the restroom first, the officer grabbed his arm and threatened to accuse him of evading arrest.
Hunter’s filing describes further escalation: “The officer grabbed Plaintiff again and released him.” When Hunter asked for evidence of speeding and requested a supervisor, he says the officer claimed to be one. As Hunter attempted to comply with instructions, he alleges that the officer blocked his path repeatedly before making what appeared to be a distress call over the radio. A second officer arrived shortly afterward.
The complaint details that during this interaction, “the first officer pushed Plaintiff into a rack of food creating the appearance that Plaintiff was resisting.” Both Hunter and several officers then fell to the ground. While restrained on the floor, Hunter claims one officer began choking him while another held his arm. Additional officers allegedly arrived and placed their full body weight on him as he stated multiple times that he could not breathe.
Hunter asserts that despite telling officers about his inability to breathe—”Plaintiff repeatedly told officers he could not breathe”—they did not relieve pressure until he began wheezing for air. He further alleges being lifted from the ground in a hog-tie restraint device and dropped by officers when his mother approached the scene, resulting in injury to his lower back.
The complaint also describes treatment following his arrest: upon arrival at a detention facility operated by Houston Police Department, Hunter says he was ordered to change into jail clothing but declined because he believed he had been wrongfully arrested. Officers allegedly threatened to cut off his clothes; they then restrained him against a wall and cut off both necklaces and clothing items while leaving him partially exposed in front of multiple male and female officers—some of whom laughed during this process.
Hunter reports experiencing severe breathing difficulty and rib pain throughout detention. He claims repeated requests for medical attention were denied for many hours: “Plaintiff repeatedly requested medical attention but was denied for many hours.” He also states that adequate food and water were withheld during much of his time in custody.
The lawsuit outlines several legal claims including violations under 42 U.S.C. §1983 for excessive force (Fourth Amendment), false arrest (Fourth Amendment), failure of other officers present to intervene against misconduct (bystander liability), due process violations (Fourteenth Amendment), deliberate indifference to medical needs (Eighth/Fourteenth Amendments), municipal liability due to inadequate training or supervision (Monell claim), official oppression under Texas Penal Code section 39.03, abuse of official capacity by misusing authority as police officers, and deprivation of rights under color of law pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §242.
In seeking relief from the court, Hunter requests compensatory damages for physical injuries—including breathing complications and rib pain—as well as emotional distress and humiliation stemming from alleged constitutional violations. He is also asking for punitive damages intended as punishment or deterrence against similar conduct in future cases. Additionally, Hunter demands reimbursement for costs associated with bringing suit along with any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Hunter has requested a jury trial on all issues raised in his complaint. The case is identified as Civil Action No. 4:26-cv-01932 in Harris County, Texas. The plaintiff is representing himself without an attorney.
Source: 426cv01932_Ishman_Hunter_v_Unkown_Houston_Police_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
