BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WALB) — A Georgia family is seeking legal counsel against Bainbridge Public Safety and Walmart following an Aug. 18 incident that left a 71-year-old woman injured and led to disorderly conduct citations.

According to a Bainbridge Public Safety report, Officer Jonathan Taylor was working detail at the Walmart on East Alice Street when he cited Patricia Tarver, 71, and her daughter, Amita Spear, with disorderly conduct.

Family describes Walmart physical encounter

Tarver said the confrontation began when another woman threatened her while she was shopping. Spear showed up at the store after being alerted to the threats. According to Spear, she arrived to find the other woman holding a Taser, which led to an argument.

Spear said officers handcuffed her shortly after arriving and then threw her mother to the ground.

“He just twist me around and picked me up and throw me down on the floor and sat on me and pushed his knees down in my back,” Tarver said.

Stephanie Ware, Tarver’s other daughter, said she has video showing her mother attempting to leave the area before the confrontation with officers.

Medical treatment and injuries

After the incident, Tarver said she experienced a panic attack at the police department but was denied her medication. She was later taken to an emergency room by her daughter.

Ware, who works as a nurse, said ER doctors described the incident as physical abuse of the elderly after watching the video. Tarver’s shoulder was swollen and required MRIs, and she has since been prescribed antidepressants and referred to counseling.

Tarver’s hospital discharge paperwork also described the incident as “physical abuse of the elderly.”

“Now I can’t go back in there no more because I have flashbacks,” Tarver said.

Internal investigation underway

Bainbridge Public Safety Police Chief Redell Walton confirmed that an internal investigation is underway, led by Captain Wembley.

Walton said he has seen a short video of the encounter but has not yet reviewed the full body camera footage. He added that the department would not comment further until the internal investigation is complete to ensure no laws or policies were violated.

“We just want to make sure that no laws were broken, no policy was violated,” Walton said. “That’s what we’re trying to do right now.”

When asked about the incident, a Walmart press representative released the following statement:

“The safety of our associates and customers is a top priority. We defer any further questions to law enforcement.”

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