INDIANAPOLIS --
An Indianapolis police officer who was injured last summer during a staged fight that he was tricked into breaking up is suing a city agency and a church involved in the incident.
Matthew Grimes claims in the lawsuit that James Harrington, a pastor affiliated with Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, and Willard Gupton, an Indy Parks and Recreation employee, arranged the planned fight during a youth symposium at Municipal Gardens on July 24, 2010.
Grimes accused Harrington and Gupton of fraud, battery and infliction of emotional distress. The officer had been asked to speak at the anti-violence event.
Grimes was pushed to the floor during the altercation and said he injured his back while trying to break up the staged fight.
Shortly after the incident, the church denied any involvement in the incident and said that Harrington acted on his own.
6News has contacted both the city and the church for a response but had not heard back as of late Wednesday morning.
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