MULBERRY, Ark. (AP) — Three Arkansas regulation enforcement officers have been suspended and a state police investigation launched after a video posted on social media confirmed a suspect being held down on the bottom and overwhelmed by police.
Arkansas State Police mentioned Sunday night time that it might examine using pressure by the officers earlier within the day exterior a comfort retailer in Mulberry, about 140 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock.
Two Crawford County sheriff’s deputies and one Mulberry police officer have been suspended Sunday, metropolis and county authorities mentioned. The officers have been responding to a report of a person making threats exterior the comfort retailer, authorities mentioned.
State police recognized the person as Randall Worcester, 27, of Goose Creek, South Carolina. The video posted on-line exhibits one officer punching Worcester with a clenched fist, whereas one other could be seen kneeing him, and a 3rd is holding him down.
Worcester was taken to a hospital for remedy Sunday then launched and booked within the Van Buren County jail on a number of fees, together with second-degree battery, resisting arrest and terroristic threatening, state police mentioned.
Authorities haven’t launched the names of the three officers who have been seen on the video. Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante mentioned Sunday that the 2 deputies have been suspended pending an investigation.
“I maintain all my workers accountable for his or her actions and can take applicable measures on this matter,” Damante mentioned.
In a press release launched Sunday night, Mulberry Police Chief Shannon Gregory mentioned town officer concerned within the incident is on go away pending the result of the investigation.
“Town of Mulberry and the Mulberry police division takes these investigations very critically,” Gregory mentioned.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson mentioned Sunday night time on Twitter that the “incident in Crawford County might be investigated pursuant to the video proof and the request of the prosecuting legal professional.”
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