A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against a police officer, alleging excessive force and false arrest. On January 19, 2026, Zybriona “Zy” Williams filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Officer Andrews of the MARTA Police Department. The case centers around an incident that occurred on March 24, 2025, when Williams was allegedly confronted by Officer Andrews at a MARTA station in Atlanta under suspicion of fare evasion. Despite having paid her fare, Williams claims she was subjected to unwarranted aggression resulting in physical injuries.
The complaint details how Officer Andrews approached Williams at the MARTA station located at 1255 West Peachtree Street, suspecting her of trying to evade paying the train fare. Williams asserts that she had indeed paid using her Breeze card. However, Officer Andrews proceeded to arrest her without probable cause, during which Williams was tased and sustained injuries to her head, legs, and back. The situation escalated when Williams fell and hit her head on the ground due to the scuffle with Officer Andrews.
Williams’s legal action accuses Officer Andrews of violating her Fourth Amendment rights by conducting an unlawful seizure and using excessive force. The plaintiff argues that there was no probable cause for her arrest and that it was executed with malice—an intent to injure—thus disqualifying any claim of qualified immunity for Officer Andrews. Furthermore, Williams is pursuing state law claims for assault and battery as well as false arrest under Georgia statutes OCGA § 51-1-14 and OCGA § 51-7-1 respectively.
In addition to seeking compensatory damages for physical and economic injuries suffered—including missed workdays and damaged personal property—Williams is also requesting punitive damages aimed at deterring similar conduct by MARTA officials in the future. She seeks reasonable attorney’s fees under federal law provisions given this civil rights action against an officer acting under color of state law.
The case has attracted attention not only because of its implications for police conduct but also due to its potential impact on how MARTA handles such allegations moving forward. Notably, after being charged with obstruction following the incident, all charges against Williams were dismissed upon her return to Georgia from North Carolina where she resides.
Representing Zybriona Williams is attorney Lloyd J. Matthews from Acworth, Georgia. The case is being overseen by Judge Steven D. Grimberg under Case ID 1:26-cv-00304-SDG.
Source: 126cv00304_Zybriona_Williams_v_John_Doe_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia..pdf
