Arrest of Karen Garner
police action against elderly woman in Loveland, Colorado
On June 26, 2020, Karen Garner, a 73-year-old woman with dementia and sensory aphasia, suffered a broken arm, dislocated shoulder, and other injuries while being violently arrested by police in Loveland, Colorado, who had been summoned by Walmart employees after Garner left the store without paying for $13.88 worth of merchandise. Surveillance video from the police station taken after the arrest shows officers laughing, mocking Garner, and exchanging fist bumps while watching their own body camera footage of her injury and arrest.
A lawsuit, filed in April 2021, alleges that the officers used excessive force and failed to provide Garner with timely medical attention. After body camera footage of the arrest and surveillance footage of the officers celebrating circulated widely that same month, three officers resigned and one went on leave pending investigations by city, county, and federal officials. On May 19, the arresting officer, Austin Hopp, was charged with second-degree assault, attempt to influence a public servant, and official misconduct. A second officer on the scene, Daria Jalali, was charged with failure to intervene, failure to report the use of excessive force, and official misconduct.
Karen Garner died from complications from dementia in November 2023.
Arrest
On June 26, 2020, Karen Garner, a 73-year-old woman with dementia and sensory aphasia, left a Walmart in Loveland, Colorado, allegedly without paying for cleaning supplies, a T-shirt, candy, and soda worth $13.88. Walmart employees followed Garner outside, took back the items,
and refused to allow her to pay for them. After the employees took the items back from her, Garner began walking home.
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