Police allegedly pulled man away from dead stepson, used taser

theGRIO REPORT - A Pittsburgh family is suing the police department over an alleged incident that occurred following the death of their son at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

A Pittsburgh family is suing the police department over an alleged incident that occurred following the death of their son at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Reverend Earl Baldwin Jr. claims police officers crossed the line when they didn’t allow him to sit next to his stepson, Mileek Grissom, in the UPMC Mercy Hospital’s emergency room about two years ago, reports WPXI.

The 23-year-old was shot in the chest while trying to stop a street fight.

“I needed to tell him his family was going to be OK. I was going to do everything I could to make sure they were OK,” Baldwin declared after the incident.

The video shows Baldwin surrounded by many police officers who were trying to rip him away from the victim’s bed. One of the officers even used a taser on the reverend.

UPMC says Baldwin was interfering by attempting to revive Mileek.

In an interview, Joel Sansone, the family’s attorney, had this to say about the incident: “Watch the video. Not only was the child not being treated, the child was dead.”

“I wanted to rub his head. I wanted to kiss him. I know he was calling for his mom,” Tori Baldwin said.

WPXI talked with the Baldwins on Thursday. Pittsburgh police didn’t make any comment; however, they are expected to release a statement in the next few days.

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