Charlotte, NC – A North Carolina school resource officer has been suspended without pay after an incident in which he body-slammed a female high school student, leaving her with serious injuries. Officer Hasun Rogers was suspended after the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) completed an internal investigation into the incident, which occurred on October 31 at West Charlotte High School.
Incident Details
The altercation began when a large crowd formed outside the school, with students reportedly involved in a fight. Officer Rogers, who was working as a resource officer, intervened by drawing his Taser to disperse the crowd. After the fight broke up, Rogers noticed a student assaulting another and attempted to control the situation.
According to a letter from CMPD Chief Estella Patterson and Internal Affairs Maj. Brian Trull, Rogers saw freshman Ke’Nadie Cathey engage in a violent act by punching a staff member and another student on the ground. Rogers reportedly attempted to separate her from the situation by lifting her off the ground and slamming her onto the pavement, which caused Cathey to immediately lose consciousness and experience a seizure. The incident was captured on video, which went viral and sparked public outrage.
Student’s Injuries and Family Response
Cathey’s attorney, Michael Littlejohn, confirmed that she suffered a “serious brain injury” from the incident. Her mother, Shakera Rorie, expressed her anger and frustration over the use of excessive force. “Everybody’s upset and angry and feeling overprotective about the whole situation,” Rorie said. “We just want something done, and this never happened to us before, so we don’t even know what steps to take.”
A viral video of the incident showed a crowd watching the scene, with comments divided over the officer’s actions. Some felt that the officer’s actions were excessive, while others debated the use of force in such situations. One commenter on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “Excessive force is being used all over the place. He didn’t just put her on the ground to stop her. He slammed her head and entire body. It’s a wonder she is not dead. Maybe brain damage.”
Officer’s Suspension and Investigation
After months of internal investigation, Rogers was suspended without pay for excessive force but was allowed to return to duty after the suspension. The CMPD’s letter outlined that, before the incident, the school principal had warned officers about a “potential gang fight after school dismissal,” and Rogers was involved in crowd control when the situation escalated. He claimed he was struck by Cathey before he lifted and slammed her to the ground.
The investigation remains ongoing, and it is unclear whether Cathey’s family will pursue legal action. At a press conference in November, the family demanded justice, holding signs that read “DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR KE’NADIE.”
Public Outcry and Debate Over Police Use of Force
The incident has sparked a heated public debate on the appropriate use of force by law enforcement in schools. While some defend the officer’s actions as necessary to maintain control, many, including Cathey’s family and several members of the public, believe that the use of excessive force was unjustified. The viral video has led to further scrutiny of how law enforcement officers handle students in school settings.
As the investigation continues, both the public and law enforcement await further updates on any potential legal actions taken by Cathey’s family and whether any further disciplinary measures will be applied to Officer Rogers.
