A Detroit woman who says she was shot six times by a police officer during a traffic stop is now taking her fight to federal court, filing a lawsuit seeking $25 million in damages from the city of Detroit and the officer involved.

Tracey Allen claims the shooting, which happened in October, was unjustified and has left her with lasting physical injuries as well as deep emotional trauma. Speaking publicly about the incident, Allen said she is still struggling to recover.

“I’d be lying if I told you I was okay,” she said, explaining that both her mental and physical health have been affected since the shooting.

Allen showed reporters where she was struck multiple times, including four gunshot wounds to one arm, but her legal team stressed that the most serious damage may not be visible. Her attorney, civil rights lawyer Maurice Davis, said the case is about holding law enforcement accountable rather than attacking police as a whole.

“This case is not about being anti-police,” Davis said. “It’s about accountability.”

According to the lawsuit and information released by the Detroit Police Department, the encounter began when officers pulled Allen over near Van Dyke and Savage for several alleged violations, including speeding, tinted windows, and an obscured license plate.

Allen said the situation quickly escalated. She claims she repeatedly asked for a supervisor, but none was provided. Feeling unsafe, she called 911 and asked the operator to stay on the line because she feared for her life.

Instead of calling a supervisor, police say the officer requested backup. The lawsuit claims the officer attempted to forcibly remove Allen from her vehicle and used pepper spray on her. After that, Allen drove away. Officers later caught up with her and attempted to stop her again near Outer Drive and Concord, reportedly trying to box in her SUV.

Allen described the moment she says she realized she was in danger. She claims the officer already had his gun drawn, making her fear she would be shot in the head. She said the officer ordered her to get out of the car twice, but she refused. According to Allen, the officer then opened fire into her vehicle.

She says she drove away again and did not immediately realize she had been hit until she reached a traffic light. Allen was ultimately shot six times, according to her account.

The Detroit Police Department has not commented on the lawsuit, citing ongoing litigation. However, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison previously expressed frustration when speaking about the case last fall. Bettison said early accounts of what happened did not match what body camera footage later showed. He also stated that the officer appeared to have violated multiple department policies.

Bettison suggested the incident could have been avoided if proper procedures had been followed, including calling a supervisor when requested. He noted Allen did provide her license and registration, and her proof of insurance was available on her phone.

The officer involved remains employed by the department but has been suspended without pay since early November.

The officer’s defense attorney, Marc Curtis, released a statement urging the public not to rush to judgment. Curtis said police actions should be evaluated based on what the officer knew in the moment, not through hindsight, and added that they will cooperate with investigators.

Meanwhile, the Michigan State Police Homicide Task Force has completed its investigation and sent its findings to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in late November. Prosecutors say the case is still under review as they consider whether criminal charges are warranted.