Three police officers in Arkansas have been suspended after being caught on camera beating a man on the sidewalk.
Following the discovery of a disturbing and violent arrest at a convenience store in Mulberry, two Crawford County Deputies and a Mulberry Police officer were placed on administrative leave.
Around 10 a.m. on Sunday, law enforcers were told that a guy was threatening a convenience store clerk, according to Sheriff Jimmy Damante with the Crawford County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
The suspect allegedly spat on the employee and threatened to "cut off their face," KFSM-TV reported.
Sheriff Damante said that after the suspect assaulted one of the deputies, the interaction turned intense. The deputy was allegedly hit in the head after being shoved to the ground.
Three police officers were viciously striking the victim, who was already on the ground when a bystander recorded video of the incident. While the other two officers are seen striking, kneeing, and kicking the man, one of the officers is seen holding him down on the ground. The man's head gets slammed into the pavement by an officer at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Randall Worcester, 27. After being admitted to the hospital, he was eventually discharged and taken to a local jail.
According to state police, Worcester is facing charges of second-degree battery, resisting arrest, refusing to submit, having a weapon, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, terroristic threatening, and second-degree assault.
Investigation Launched
Meanwhile, the Crawford County prosecutor will determine whether the use of force by the law enforcement officers was "consistent" with Arkansas law after receiving the results of the use-of-force investigation from state police, which had already started.
The upper ranks of state government reacted immediately, with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson remarking on the "arrest incident."
Governor Hutchinson tweeted: "I have spoken with Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police and the local arrest incident in Crawford County will be investigated according to the video evidence and the request of the prosecuting attorney."
The two deputies engaged in the incident have been suspended until the result of the investigation, Crawford County Sheriff James Damante stated in a statement hours earlier, as reported by NPR.
Police Officers Involved Will Be Held Accountable
In a statement posted on Facebook, Damante said: "I hold all my employees accountable for their actions and will take appropriate measures in this matter,"
Mulberry Police confirmed that one of its officers was involved in the incident that was caught on camera. The agency said that the officer has subsequently been placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of a state police investigation.
The City of Mulberry and the Mulberry Police Department officials stated in a post on Facebook that they "take these investigations very seriously and hold all their officers accountable for their actions."
"We will take the appropriate actions at the conclusion of the investigation," the statement added.
User Naomi Johnson uploaded a video of the incident she shared on Twitter.
According to Yahoo! News, the video has already been taken down from TikTok.
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