HOWARD v. MCALLISTER et al

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 03/11/2025. (zsl)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WILLIAM SCOTT HOWARD, SR.,

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Plaintiff,
v.
OFFICER NEIL McALLISTER, et al.,
Defendants.

Civil Action No. 24-2480 (UNA)

MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on review of plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma
pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The Court GRANTS the application and, for the reasons
stated below, DISMISSES the complaint and this civil action without prejudice.
The Court has reviewed plaintiff’s complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed by
pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than are applied to formal pleadings drafted by
lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants must comply
with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C.
1987). Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a
short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the Court’s jurisdiction depends, a short and
plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for
judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum
standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claim being asserted, sufficient to
prepare a responsive answer, to prepare an adequate defense and to determine whether the
doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).

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Plaintiff allegedly took a vacation in the District of Columbia, and upon his arrival at
Union Station on August 6, 2024, he “was robbed at knifepoint” of money and his cell phone.
Compl., Ex. (ECF No. 1-2) at 1. He sought police assistance and takes offense at the officers’
assumption that plaintiff was “a homeless person instead of tourist.” Id. Although plaintiff
demanded that “something [be] done to the officers for making the wrong decision and not
protecting their tourtist [sic],” id., the complaint fails to articulate an actual legal claim. As
drafted, the complaint fails to meet the minimum pleading standard set forth in Rule 8, and it will
be dismissed.
An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.

DATE: March 11, 2025

/s/
CHRISTOPHER R. COOPER
United States District Judge

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