Delaware
Delaware police investigating alleged officer assault of woman during traffic stop
A Delaware woman who was allegedly assaulted by New Castle County police during a traffic stop on June 29 gave her first public comments Tuesday about the stop and her arrest.
Bystander and police body camera video show N’Finitee Coleman being detained by four officers in a parking lot where she was stopped by police.
“My hair was pulled up and down,” Coleman said during Tuesday’s press conference. “My head was punched by a male and by a female. I have constant migraines.”
In police body camera footage, released by the New Castle County Police Department, an officer can be seen stepping out of his vehicle after he pulls Coleman over. He approaches Coleman’s car and asks her to step out of the vehicle.
In this screenshot from bodycam footage released by the New Castle County Police Department, N’finitee Coleman is shown during a traffic stop.
New Castle County Police Department
The officer tells Coleman she was being arrested for multiple unsafe lane changes, not using a turn signal, and because her registration was suspended for no insurance.
“An officer with the New Castle County Division of Police was traveling in the area of Walther Road and Pulaski Highway when he observed a car commit several traffic violations,” New Castle County Police said in a statement obtained by ABC News. “The officer was also able to confirm that the car’s registration was suspended without insurance and observed an old bullet hole in the driver’s side door that had police evidence markings on it. The officer activated his emergency lights behind the car at Pulaski Highway and Wellington Drive to initiate a traffic stop. However, the car continued down Pulaski Highway, making the right turn onto Brookmont Drive. The car then continued to the Royal Farms parking lot before backing into a parking space.”
The body cam video shows Coleman refusing the officer’s instructions to exit the car and asking for his supervisor. The officer then pulls her car door open. The two of them argue for a few minutes, with Coleman continuing to refuse to comply with instructions to exit her vehicle, until other officers arrive on the scene.
Three male officers can then be seen on body cam video pulling Coleman out of her car and forcing her to the ground. A female officer is then seen arriving on the scene as the other three policemen struggle with Coleman on the ground. The female officer proceeds to punch Coleman in the head area multiple times. One of the male officers is also seen throwing punches in body camera video as he claims that Coleman is holding his foot.
N’Finitee Coleman said that she was assaulted by New Castle County, Delaware police during a traffic stop on June 29.
The Igwe Firm
Coleman was eventually handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle. In addition to traffic violations, she was charged with two counts of offensive touching of law enforcement, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of disorderly conduct, according to New Castle County police.
Emeka Igwe, Coleman’s lawyer, said at Tuesday’s press conference that his client had legitimate registration for her car at the time of the incident.
“I do think there is a perception out there that when an officer approaches someone who may have an attitude or may be mouthy that they can then do whatever, whether retaliate with force or assault,” Igwe said. “That’s not OK. As an officer, you’re trained to be a professional. You’re going to encounter people with mental health challenges.”
Coleman claimed at the press conference that she has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and her anxiety and PTSD were contributing reasons for her “verbally aggressive” behavior during the traffic stop.
“The New Castle County Division of Police Professional Standards Unit is conducting an administrative investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions were within policy,” the New Castle County Police Department said in a statement. “Additionally, the Division’s Use of Force Review Unit is conducting a use-of-force analysis, including a detailed video examination. Finally, the incident was referred to the Delaware Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust. These investigations and reviews are still ongoing.”
The Delaware Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust nor the New Castle County attorney’s office did not immediately respond to ABC News requests for comment. The New Castle County Police Department declined to comment when ABC News asked if any of the officers involved with Coleman’s arrest have been disciplined.
Delaware
Delaware State football player sues DeSean Jackson, school after alleged locker room assault
A Delaware State football player has filed a lawsuit against the school and head coach DeSean Jackson. The suit came after an alleged locker room assault.
Rising sophomore safety Malachi Biggs is listed as the plaintiff in the suit, filed Thursday in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. Jackson, DSU, associate head coach Travis Clark, a player and another staff member are listed as defendants.
According to a copy of the complaint obtained by On3, the alleged incident occurred on or about Nov. 19, 2025. Biggs arrived early to receive treatment and went to the locker room when he saw at least two other players there. While there, one of the players confronted another player about an Instagram post.
He then walked up to Biggs and allegedly placed him in a chokehold, according to the complaint. The player allegedly ignored Biggs’ attempts to “tap out” even though he was told he’d be let go by doing so and was later rendered unconscious.
After hitting the ground, Biggs suffered injuries to his head, face, mouth, tongue and teeth, according to the complaint. His injuries included “multiple fractures to his jaw, a deep laceration to his chin requiring surgery, and irreparable damage to at least a dozen teeth requiring extraction, root canals, and additional invasive dental treatments,” the complaint read.
The complaint states the player was not disciplined by Jackson, who was in his first year as head coach, and was allowed to play in a game three days after the alleged incident. Jackson and Clark addressed the alleged incident in a team meeting. After graduating from the school in 2026, the player was then employed as a member of the coaching staff, the complaint said.
Biggs is suing DSU for a count of negligence; a count of negligent hiring, supervision and retention; and negligent training. Jackson and two players are also listed as defendants facing charges of negligence, negligent supervision, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. When asked for comment, a school spokesperson told On3 that Delaware State does not comment on pending litigation.
“Our lawsuit alleges that the Delaware State University and its staff failed in their responsibility to adequately supervise these student athletes and failed to properly discipline violent behaviors,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Georgia Pham, who are representing Biggs, in a statement to On3. “By dismissing violent assaults as mere ‘horseplay,’ the University and coach DeSean Jackson allegedly fostered a toxic culture of bullying and hazing in the locker room.
“Our client came to this University to play the game he loved. Instead, he’s leaving with catastrophic injuries that may be career-ending and have permanently derailed his life. These alleged systemic failures led to this predictable and preventable tragedy that ripped away the life he had always dreamed of.”
Delaware State went 8-4 in Jackson’s first season as head coach in 2025. The former NFL receiver, who made his mark with the Philadelphia Eagles, was named HBCU Coach of the Year.
BOWERS BEACH, Del. – Delaware State Police say a body was found near Bowers Beach on Tuesday.
Around 12:40 p.m. on April 21, Delaware State Police, Delaware Natural Resources Police and local fire companies responded to the Delaware Bay, about a mile offshore from the Bowers Beach area after commercial watermen discovered an unknown deceased man in the water.
The victim was recovered and turned over to the Office of Forensic Science for identification and to determine the cause of death.
The investigation remains active and on-going.
Top headlines of the week, April 17 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
The Humane Society of Delaware County has appointed a new leader as the organization’s longtime director moves toward retirement.
The animal rescue group’s board appointed Amanda Wampler as its new CEO, effective May 11, the organization posted on Facebook April 21.
Jana Cassidy, the humane society’s executive director for nearly a decade, is transitioning toward retirement and will now serve as chief operating officer in the near term to ensure a smooth transition.
The post from society Board President Megan Ricci says the board is confident Cassidy’s and Wampler’s experience, dedication and talents will elevate the humane society as it strives to build a new 22,000-square-foot facility that will be a go-to destination for adoption, veterinary care, training, boarding, and grooming.
“HSDC could not be in better hands than with these two extraordinary women,” the post reads.
Wampler is a proven nonprofit executive with experience in animal welfare and a demonstrated ability to help organizations expand and thrive, according to the humane society’s post.
Wampler currently is the national operations director for Siemer Institute, a Columbus-based organization that helps families across the U.S. achieve housing stability and enhance their children’s educational prospects, according to Wampler’s LinkedIn page. She also worked for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department from 2016 to 2023.
Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X
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