Richmond Family Filed Lawsuit After Concert Pepper Spraying

A mother and her teenage son sued local officials and a promoter following a 2025 incident at Brown's Island.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Accidents

Richmond Family Filed Lawsuit After Concert Pepper Spraying

A teenager and his mother have filed a lawsuit against Richmond's sheriff, a deputy, and a concert promoter seeking $100,000 in damages. The legal action follows an incident on September 25, 2025, where the then-15-year-old was pepper sprayed by a deputy during a performance on Brown's Island.

Why it matters

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants demonstrated negligence and recklessness regarding concert security procedures. The family is pursuing a jury trial to address claims related to the use of force that occurred during the event.

The lawsuit names Broadberry Entertainment Group LLC, Broadberry Holdings LLC, Deputy M. Ames, and Sheriff Antionette Irving as defendants in Richmond Circuit Court. The filing seeks $100,000 in damages for the incident involving the teenager.

The players

Antionette Irving

Antionette Irving is the Sheriff of Richmond who is named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit.

M. Ames

M. Ames is a deputy identified in the lawsuit as the individual who deployed pepper spray against the teenager.

Broadberry Entertainment Group LLC

Broadberry Entertainment Group LLC is a concert promotion entity named as a defendant in the legal filing.

The details

The lawsuit claims that Deputy M. Ames deployed pepper spray into the teenager's face from a distance of less than two feet after the youth climbed onto the stage during the band's final song. Plaintiffs contend that the security measures managed by the concert promoter and oversight by law enforcement were insufficient.

September 25, 2025: The teenager was pepper sprayed at a concert on Brown's Island.

Legal Context

This lawsuit challenges the 2025 security protocols at Brown's Island, marking a departure from previous concert safety standards in the city. The case underscores broader municipal debates regarding the use of force by off-duty personnel working as private security contractors.

The lawsuit highlights questions regarding the use of force by off-duty deputies acting in security capacities at public events. Residents may see increased scrutiny of security staffing requirements for future concerts held at public venues in the city.

The takeaway

The case highlights the complex intersection of private security and law enforcement authority at public city venues. Families pursuing such litigation often seek to establish new precedents for safety oversight and incident reporting in crowded settings.