New information has surfaced about the situation involving high school black student Montre Merritt being forced to the ground at gunpoint for simply not wearing his seatbelt. It appears Merritt has now filed a lawsuit this week against the Waycross Police Department.

When Merritt pulled into his driveway without wearing a seatbelt on Jan 18, a Waycross police officer that was following him angrily got out of his vehicle drew his weapon and pointed it at Merritt, yelling for him to get down on the ground.

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Merritt, who's a football player and considered somewhat of a community role model, had no idea the reasoning behind fearing for his life and being handcuffed while on the ground.

His Mother heard the noisy disturbance from inside the house and quickly came out to confront the officer about the situation. The only thing the officer, now confirmed as Cory Gay, told her was that Merritt was driving without a seatbelt.

The family filed a complaint soon after of course, and Cory Gay was found guilty for using excessive force, however, Gay's punishment wasn't nearly severe enough. He was only suspended for five days without pay and had to complete a Judgmental Use of Force Training before being able to return to duty.

The light punishment for the unconstitutional excessive use of force is what caused the Merritt family to file a lawsuit against the Waycross Police Department on Thursday for a total of $12.5 million. The lawsuit alleges the officer of racial profiling, assault and battery, and causing emotional distress. 

"That night when it happened, I felt like I could have been another Trayvon Martin case," Merritt said in an interview with News 4. "And just hearing how Mike Brown went about his case for doing the right thing. He still got shot. I just feel like I don't want any of my friends or family, I don't want that to happen to anybody."

Waycross Police Department has seen their fair share of excessive force. Just a few months before the Merritt incident, they shot and killed 43-year-old Jack Roberson who was suffering the effects of too much diabetes medication.

When authorities arrived to his home, Officers say he charged at them "armed with two items used as weapons." However, his fiancé who called 911 for assistance, claims Jack didn't do anything like that.

The $12.5 million lawsuit filed by Montre Merritt may seem high to some, but more lawsuits need to be filed against the Waycross Police Department for the safety of the residents in the area, regardless of price.  

TagsStudent lawsuit against police, Montre Merritt, Waycross Police Department, gunpoint, police brutality, Cory Gay, Jack Roberson, excessive force, black student