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1 year ago
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A woman is suing Seattle after police officers broke down her door and raided her home only to discover they were at the wrong address.
Elizabeth Rehn endured the terrifying experience of armed officers forcing entry to her home as she was about to get into the bath three years ago on November 22, 2020.
Rehn is now suing the city of Seattle and five Seattle police officers for unspecified damages, arguing that her civil rights were violated and police were negligent.
Bodycam footage of the incident shows a male officer aggressively kicking down Rehn's front door before another enters the apartment pointing a gun and shouting 'Seattle Police, show me your hands!'
Elizabeth Rehn's home was raided by Seattle cops just as she was about to get into the bath on November 22, 2020
Bodycam footage shows Rehn (right) seen shaking and terrified after the armed officers forced their way into her home
'What the f***' a startled Rehn is heard responding.
'Who else is inside' the officer shouts, to which the terrified occupant says: 'Nobody, I live alone.'
According to court documents the police were responding to reports of a person in crisis throwing objects from a fourth floor window.
The bodycam footage shows police checking windows inside the apartment and commenting that none were broken.
Rehn alleges that not only did police enter the wrong apartment they were also in the wrong building.
The suit, filed in federal court last month, says the police were dispatched to 3028 1st Avenue but entered 3016 instead.
'I don't' think I have ever seen anybody as terrified and shook as Ms. Rehn was, and I've been an civil rights attorney for 28 years' Rehn's attorney, Jay Krulewitch told Komo News.
Footage shows officers shouting 'Seattle Police, let me see your hands'
Officers are seen inside the property where they realize their mistake
Rehn's attorney, Jay Krulewitch (pictured) said his client feared for her life
'She was worried about being shot to death because when they broke down her door she didn't know who was coming into her apartment, she hunkered down she was about to take a bath she barely had time to throw a large coat over herself,' Krulewitch explained.
'I believe the crying and sobbing and from what she expressed to me reflects how close she came to dying.
'This was not a minor incident it was a terrifying incident to her and left a lasting imprint on her' he added.
'You have the wrong f***ing address, are you f***ing kidding me' she is heard telling the officers in her distressed state.
'I didn't know who the f*** was at my door' she added.
Seattle Police said they would not comment on pending litigation.
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