A graffiti artist commissioned to paint murals on Detroit viaducts was arrested by police who believed he was committing vandalism.
29-year-old Sheefy McFly, whose real name is Tashif Turner, was commissioned as part of a multi-year effort to fight illegal graffiti with city-approved artwork.
McFly says he didn’t have his city-issued permit with him. He says police cars arrived on site even as a city official showed up to vouch for the artist.
Detroit police spokeswoman Nicole Kirkwood says officers found McFly uncooperative. She says the disagreement led to McFly being arrested on suspicion of resisting and obstructing and for a warrant previously issued for a parking ticket.
McFly says he was treated like a felon.
