Supreme Court Rejects Police Officer's Appeal in 2020 Excessive Force Case
The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Grand Rapids police officer Phillip Reinink. The case stems from a May 2020 protest incident and will proceed in lower courts.
foxnews.comThe Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to review an appeal filed by Grand Rapids police officer Phillip Reinink. The officer sought to end a civil lawsuit alleging excessive force during a protest on May 30, 2020. Reinink deployed tear gas during the protest, which occurred days after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.
He stated he believed the launcher contained powder that could be aimed directly at a person, but the device instead fired a canister into the air that struck protester Sean Hart and injured his shoulder. A police department investigation determined the use of force was unreasonable, resulting in a two-day suspension for Reinink.
The lawsuit centers on qualified immunity, a doctrine that can shield officers from civil rights claims.
A federal judge in Michigan dismissed the lawsuit in March 2023. S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision in May 2025, ruling that the incident involved deadly force and that qualified immunity did not apply. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito indicated they would have accepted the appeal and ruled in Reinink's favor. The case can now continue in the district court.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- May 30, 2020
Reinink deployed tear gas during Grand Rapids protest, injuring Sean Hart.
1 source@NBCNews - March 2023
Federal judge dismissed Hart's excessive force lawsuit against Reinink.
1 source@NBCNews - May 2025
6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the lawsuit, denying qualified immunity.
1 source@NBCNews - May 26, 2026
Supreme Court declined to hear Reinink's appeal, allowing the case to proceed.
1 source@NBCNews
Potential Impact
- 01
The lawsuit alleging excessive force will continue in federal district court.
- 02
Reinink remains subject to potential civil liability for the 2020 incident.
- 03
The 6th Circuit's qualified immunity analysis stands as precedent in the circuit.
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