Police Misidentify 13-Year-Old in New Jersey Deli Incident

In a troubling incident on Friday, a 13-year-old boy was mistakenly beaten by police after they believed he was a tattooed 22-year-old suspect at a deli in New Jersey. The boy’s family is now calling for accountability as an internal investigation is launched.

Surveillance footage shows Alkiea Williams entering Jenny’s Deli and Grocery in East Orange that afternoon. As he was buying a T-shirt, six police officers suddenly confronted him. The video reveals that as Alkiea moved toward the exit, one officer tackled him against a pile of boxes. Moments later, five more officers rushed in, overwhelming the boy and forcing him to the ground.

Outside the deli, two other officers were detaining Alkiea’s mother, Amira Williams. When they finally let her inside, she saw her son handcuffed and standing near the counter, visibly shaken.

Amira expressed her confusion and anger, stating that the officers failed to explain what was happening. “Why did you bring my son here? He said it was the wrong person. I was told the suspect is 22 years old with tattoos. Look at my son—is he 22? Does he have tattoos?” she questioned, clearly distressed.

She noted that the officers didn’t provide their names or badge numbers and seemed to leave without any acknowledgment of what had transpired.

“I just want them to be accountable. I want them to apologize,” Amira asserted.

Alkiea, reflecting on the frightening encounter, said it has left him feeling anxious. “I don’t want to go outside anymore. I’m just a normal kid who wants to play with friends. But now, I don’t want to go to school either,” he conveyed, revealing the deeper emotional impact of the incident.

In response to the chaos surrounding Alkiea’s arrest, the Newark Police Department has initiated an internal investigation. Moreover, the East Orange Public Affairs Office confirmed that East Orange Police were not part of this particular situation.