Tased at the Gate: Dallas Man’s Plea for Justice Sparks Outrage at Love Field
Over the weekend at Dallas Love Field, passengers bearing luggage and weekend‑getaway vibes were jolted into fear and confusion when airport officers confronted a Black man—handcuffing him, deploying a Taser, and whisking him away in a wheelchair. What unfolded wasn’t just an over‑the‑top use of force; it was a raw reminder of how quickly assumptions can spiral into violence.
A Cry for Transparency
It all started at a Southwest Airlines gate, where entrepreneur and traveling chef Michael Singleton—known online as Chef Mezzie of SoulHeartedCatering LLC—found himself surrounded by officers who, according to bystanders, believed he was carrying “white powder.” In a grainy Instagram video captured by a woman in the waiting area, Singleton can be heard demanding someone hit record:
“Somebody tape this. I didn’t do nothing. My name is Michael Singleton.”
That plea for a witness momentarily flipped the script—passengers went from confused to alarmed as officers barked back that Singleton had outstanding warrants. He insisted the only warrant was for a minor traffic ticket, not drug possession.
From Hands Behind His Back to the Floor
With his hands literally clasped behind his back, Singleton was suddenly hit with a Taser blast. The crackle of electricity echoed through the terminal as gasps and frantic whispers rippled across the crowd:
“I’m not a drug dealer! I had my hands behind my back and didn’t even f–––g move. And I was f–––g electrocuted!”
The video pans to Singleton collapsing to the ground, still shouting his name and birthday into the camera—an attempt to assert his identity even as his body seized under the stun. Witnesses later told investigators that a misheard comment about “powder” had sent officers into overdrive, skipping any chance for clarity before force.
From Wheelchair Exit to Courtroom Victory
After the Taser strike, officers hoisted Singleton into a wheelchair and rolled him away from the gate, even as he hurled expletives at them. But the fallout didn’t end at the airport. The very next day, news spread online that all charges—resisting arrest and the alleged drug counts—had been dropped. Singleton’s lawyer confirmed it’s now in the courts’ hands, and the chef is free.
A Daughter’s Defense and a Community’s Question
In the hours after, an Instagram user claiming to be Singleton’s daughter defended her father, reiterating that the warrant stemmed from an unpaid traffic ticket. Fellow passengers and Black community advocates seized on the video, demanding answers:
Who misheard whom?
Why was a Taser the first response?
How many “white powder” alerts have ended in needless violence?
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about one man at one airport. It’s about how split‑second judgments—fueled by racial bias or miscommunication—can turn a public space into a battleground. Singleton’s case ended without convictions, but the damage to trust was done. For every passenger who witnessed this, the question remains: if it can happen here, what’s to stop it from happening to any of us?
What’s Next for Kin+
As this story moves through the courts, Kin+ will keep you updated on the legal proceedings and the policy changes needed to prevent repeat incidents. Because when Black lives are treated like moving targets, silence isn’t an option.
Stay tuned—no spin, no fluff, just the raw truth.
