article: A young fashion designer who needed 26 stitches to her face after it was allegedly smashed into a glass table-top by a police officer is suing him and his force for $4million. Ariana Mason, 21, claims she was also choked by the man when he put her in a 'stranglehold' at a Las Vegas hotel. After filing a civil rights lawsuit against Officer Shawn Izzo and the Metropolitan Police Department,, she told reporters yesterday: 'What happened to me was wrong and I don't want it to happen to anybody else.' Scroll down for video . Tearful: Ariana Mason, 21, relives her ordeal to reporters yesterday. Scars said to be from the attack on her by a police officer last summer can be seen on her chin. Two of her teeth were also broken, she says . Ariana was flanked by her parents, Fred and Francina Mason of Teaneck, New Jersey, plus an aunt from Los Angeles - TV personality Rolonda Watts - and her lawyer Brent Bryson as she relived her ordeal. It was caught on CCTV cameras at The Mirage hotel casino on Las Vegas's strip. According to Ariana's lawsuit, she was subjected to excessive force at the hotel while she was being arrested shortly before 3am on August 16 last year. The lawsuit also noted that Ariana is African-American and Izzo is white. Ariana, who cried while talking to reporters yesterday, told them: 'I just feel as if the color of my skin was different, this wouldn't have happened to me.' Sombre: Ariana looks on as her lawyer holds up a photograph from last August of her battered face . Lawyer Brent Bryson said his young client had 26 stitches after her face was rammed into a glass table-top . Ariana Mason's aunt is Rolonda Watts, the television and radio talk show host. She is best known for hosting the eponymous Rolonda, an internationally syndicated talk show which aired from 1994 to 1997 . With scars clearly visible on her chin, she recalled how she had been at an event at The Mirage's 1 Oak nightclub – where her boyfriend 'DJ Tech' was performing. After his set, several people left the club to take pictures in front of the event's signage, according to Ariana's account. But during the photo session, a scuffle broke out 'between people associated with the event and security officers'. Ariana, who was wearing a black dress at the time, claims one of her girlfriends was 'attacked' by a woman security officer. Ariana said she grabbed the woman's jacket to move her away. But then Ariana herself was 'attacked' by Officer Izzo, who approached her from behind. Without warning, she says, he pulled her away and wrapped his forearm around her throat. In the hotel's CCTV footage, Ariana can be seen being restrained by a police officer, said to be Shawn Izzo . Another camera shows the officer putting Ariana in a chokehold and dragging her across the floor . The young fashion designer said she 'became extremely anxious' and struggled to breathe during the 'attack' 'He then threw Ariana to the ground and maintained Ariana in a choke hold and actually drug Ariana by the neck across the floor outside of 1 Oak for several feet,' claims the lawsuit. The young woman, it says, 'became extremely anxious' as she struggled to breathe. After she broke free from his grip, she punched him. She said she had no idea he was a police officer because he hadn't identified himself to her. 'When he came behind me I didn't know who was attacking me from behind, and all I did was try to defend myself,' she added. 'I feel as if the way he reacted was completely unnecessary, and it shouldn't have happened like that. 'He should have had more control under the situation, instead of escalating it and making it ten times worse.' After breaking free from his grip she punched him (left) - but says she had no idea he was a police officer . Ariana's legs are seen around the officer's hips in the right of this video still as her face is pressed against the glass-topped table - upon which rests a giant vase of pink and yellow flowers . In the CCTV footage obtained by Ariana's lawyer, Officer Izzo and others are seen handcuffing her hands behind her back and leading her to a round, marble table with a glass top. She is made to bend over it, and her face is pushed against it several times by a man standing between her outstretched legs. At one point her legs end up around his waist while her head is pressed on the table. Her face was rammed so hard on to the glass that it shattered - and shards embedded in her chin. Two of her teeth were broken, too. A photo of her injuries was shown to reporters by Mr Bryson yesterday. He said his client had needed several operations to repair her face. He added: 'Once Ariana was handcuffed with her hands behind her back, she was not a threat.' Ariana cried throughout yesterday's appearance. She claims the color of her skin was a factor in the incident . Ariana had been charged with battery on a protected person but prosecutors dismissed the case last month. She filed an internal affairs complaint but police ratified Izzo's conduct. Records show that Ariana was one of two people arrested on felony battery on a police officer charges in the incident. Six others were arrested on misdemeanor charges. She admitted she was 20 at the time but said she had 'only two drinks' during the night out. She added that she hadn't been asked for ID when she arrived at the nightclub with her boyfriend. The club's operator has yet to comment. Ariana's lawsuit against Izzo and his police department alleges civil rights violations and excessive force and claims he lacked proper training and supervision. Officer Izzo didn't respond to requests yesterday for a comment. Police spokesman Michael Rodriguez said the department didn't comment on litigation.
highlights: Shawn Izzo is alleged to have used 'excessive force' on Ariana Mason .
  Ariana said she needed 26 stitches and that her teeth were broken .
  She admits punching the officer but 'didn't realise' he was with police .
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