The family of high school football star Montre’ Merritt (photo above) is suing the Waycross, Georgia Police Department after an officer pointed a gun to their son’s head and handcuffed him on the ground for not wearing a seatbelt. 

The incident occurred last January when Montre’ Merritt, a high school senior and gridiron star, was on his way home. Waycross police officer Cory Gay who Montre’ says had been following him for several blocks, turned on his flashing lights as Montre’ pulled into his driveway.

Officer Gay (left) is alleged to have approached the vehicle with his gun drawn, pointed it at Montre's head, and ordered him to lie on the ground, where he was handcuffed. Montre complied, offering no resistance, all the while insisting he had done nothing wrong, and asking what violation he was being stopped for. When Montre's mother came outside and asked why the officer was arresting her son, Officer Gay told her it was for a seatbelt violation.

When another police car arrived, Officer Gay took the cuffs off of Montre' and ticketed him for not wearing a seatbelt. According to the Daly Signal, "No explanation was given to Merritt or his mother about why such force was used."