NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, NC — A North Carolina commercial truck driver has filed a $20 million lawsuit against a county sheriff’s deputy and the local sheriff after an alleged courthouse assault left him with permanent vision damage and triggered widespread reaction across social media platforms.
Don D. Long II, a 39-year-old Black truck driver, filed the lawsuit against Northampton County Sheriff’s Deputy Gregory Colson and Northampton County Sheriff Jack E. Smith following an incident that allegedly took place at the Northampton County Courthouse on January 22, 2026.
Video footage of the encounter has since circulated widely online, attracting more than five million views and prompting public criticism over the use of force by law enforcement officers.
According to the complaint, Long arrived at the courthouse to attend a scheduled court appearance when he was stopped by Deputy Colson as he attempted to enter the courtroom. The lawsuit alleges that Long expressed concern that failing to appear before the court could result in a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.
The filing states that instead of allowing Long to enter or addressing his concerns, Deputy Colson exited the courtroom and discharged pepper spray directly into Long’s eyes. Attorneys representing Long claim that the truck driver posed no threat at the time and was attempting to comply with court instructions.
Long is represented by civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels, Chantel Cherry-Lassiter and Gerald Griggs, who have accused the deputy of using unlawful and excessive force during the encounter.
The lawsuit further alleges that after being sprayed, Long was assaulted again before being detained in a holding cell inside the courthouse. While restrained in handcuffs, Long allegedly remained unable to wash the pepper spray from his eyes and continued to experience severe pain.
Court documents state that other officers later transported Long to hospital, where medical staff reportedly identified significant injuries and permanent impairment to his vision.
The alleged injuries could have serious implications for Long’s employment. As a commercial truck driver, maintaining adequate eyesight is a key requirement for continuing to work within the industry, raising concerns about the long-term impact on his livelihood and earning capacity.
“Not only does Deputy Colson try to prevent Don Long from following the law and make his court appearance, he assaulted him without cause, sprayed pepper spray in his eyes at close range, permanently damaging his vision, and then sucker punched him while he was blinded,” Cherry-Lassiter said. “If any citizen had done this. He would have been charged with a crime and that’s exactly what should happen to Deputy Colson.”
The case has drawn broader attention amid continuing national scrutiny surrounding police conduct and the use of force inside public institutions, including courthouses and detention facilities. The viral spread of the video footage has intensified calls on social media for accountability and disciplinary action against those involved.
Neither Deputy Colson nor Sheriff Smith had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting. It also remains unclear whether the sheriff’s office intends to contest the claims or launch an internal review into the incident.
Legal experts note that lawsuits involving allegations of excessive force can expose law enforcement agencies and local authorities to substantial financial liability, particularly when video evidence becomes publicly available and generates significant public attention.
The lawsuit seeks $20 million in damages tied to the alleged physical injuries, emotional distress, loss of livelihood and violations of Long’s civil rights.
The allegations outlined in the complaint have not yet been proven in court.
