A Detroit woman is suing the city and a police officer, claiming she was shot six times during a routine traffic stop last October, in a case that has drawn sharp attention to police conduct and civil rights protections.

Tracey Allen, represented by attorney Maurice Davis, filed the civil complaint Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She is seeking $25 million in damages and legal costs.

Allegations of Excessive Force

"Miss Tracey Allen was shot six times by a Detroit police officer during an encounter where she posed no physical threat," Davis said during a news conference at his Detroit office. "There was no justification for using force."

Allen, speaking alongside Davis, described the lasting impact of the shooting. "I'd be lying if I said I was okay," she said. "Mentally, I'm not. Physically, I'm not."

The complaint names Detroit Police Officer Zachary Melvin and the city of Detroit as defendants. It alleges violations of the Fourth Amendment, prohibiting unreasonable search and seizure, and the Fourteenth Amendment, ensuring equal protection under the law. It also claims Melvin was grossly negligent and committed assault and battery.

The Incident

According to court documents, Allen was driving alone on Eight Mile Road on October 26, 2025, after a Walmart trip for Halloween supplies. Officers reportedly stopped her for tinted windows and an obscured license plate, using their vehicles to box her in.

Allen said she complied with the officers’ requests for her license and registration but asked for a supervisor and called 911, fearing for her life. The lawsuit claims Officer Melvin attempted to forcibly remove her from the vehicle and deployed pepper spray.

Allen recounted to reporters, “As he moved to the side of my car, he asked me to get out twice. I shook my head no. That’s when he began to shoot my truck up. I didn’t know I was hit until I got to the traffic light.”

She sustained six gunshot wounds—both arms and one leg—with lasting injuries, including permanent marks and likely nerve damage. "I haven't been great," Allen said.

Broader Context

Allen’s lawsuit is among several recent legal actions against Michigan police. In December, two Detroit men filed a $9 million suit over a police raid, and a federal jury awarded $4 million to a man who lost sight in one eye after being punched by a Clinton Township officer.

Earlier in October, a former Michigan State Police trooper filed suit alleging racial and sexual harassment during her 25-year career.

“Let me be clear, this case is about accountability,” Davis said. “It’s about the United States Constitution and about seeking justice for my client.”

City and police department spokespeople declined to comment on the pending litigation.