DEARBORN — A college student in his early thirties was studying accounting at a local university, but says after being physically assaulted by two Dearborn Police officers last month continuing his four courses isn’t possible. 

Speaking to The Arab American News (TAAN) by phone the man didn’t want to be identified, and said simply picking up a book evokes memories of the traumatizing experience. The man’s professors were notified that he’s not mentally prepared to stay in school.  

He’s filed a complaint with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) of Michigan, and hired Southfield-based Attorney Marc Shefman who is also working on the case.

“We are monitoring the situation very closely,” ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad said. The alleged victim is married with children, and says the experience has influenced him to fight for the civil rights of others in the future. 

The incident took place late night Sep. 28 at the Tim Hortons on Greenfield that also houses a Wendy’s fast food restaurant. According to an updated report, the controversy occurred after a Wendy’s associate called Dearborn Police when the man tried studying at the Wendy’s dining area that was closed.

Witnesses contacted the ADC that same night to notify them of the incident that didn’t appear normal to them. 

One witness who only wanted to be identified by his first name, Ashraf, said he and another friend were both called by the Dearborn Police Department and asked to write a brief explanation of what they saw that night.

Ashraf said the man appeared to be doing his homework before the physical assault occurred. He says the man never spoke aggressively to the police officers, and he saw them push the man forcefully out the door and ask whether he had weapons. Ashraf didn’t see the physical assault continue outside as other witnesses have alleged. 

Circulating reports indicate the alleged victim has a hearing before Judge William C. Hultgren of Dearborn’s 19th District Court on Nov. 7 at 8 a.m. for breaching the peace.  

One source said he’s seen a receipt showing the man was required to pay a $700 bond after being taken into police custody the night of the incident. 

A response from two filed Freedom of Information Acts seeking police reports and other information on the incident is still pending.  

 The man thanked witnesses who called the ADC to report what they had seen, and said he never heard of the ADC until he read the previous article published in TAAN on his encounter with police. The ADC has received complaints in the past about the same Wendy’s location, and has issued an action alert calling on anyone with bad experiences there to report them. 

There are more developments and details to the story that were asked not to be disclosed while the investigation remains pending. The Dearborn Police Department didn’t respond to messages requesting a comment on the case.