Video Of California Deputy Punching 14-Year-Old Boy Prompts Investigation
A new disturbing video is making its rounds on social media as it shows a California deputy subduing and punching a 14-year-old boy repeatedly!
The video starts by showing a deputy in Rancho Cordova with his knee near the boy’s chest while trying to detain him. The officer then slams the teen’s neck to the ground and launches several punches to the young boy’s face. The teen can be seen trying to block the punches but the officer manages to turn him over and place his hands behind his back. It is unclear what happened next as the footage ends there.
Many people who came across the disturbing clip called for an investigation into the incident. Sen. Kamala Harris even tweeted the video, calling the incident a “horrific abuse of power” and added that the officer “must be held accountable.” In a news release, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sgt. Tess Deterding said the incident happened on Monday and the investigation is in its “infancy.”
Apparently, the deputy with the Rancho Cordova Police Department was patrolling the area due to complaints about hand-to-hand sales of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs to minors, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Deterding claims the deputy lost sight of the adult, who left the scene, and that the boy was uncooperative when approached. The 14-year-old allegedly did not provide “basic identifying information” but said he was 18, ABC7 News reports.
“It’s important to put video footage into context, especially in relation to a use of force incident,” the statement said. “In this case, the deputy saw what he believed to be a hand-to-hand exchange between an adult and juvenile.”
“Having reasonable suspicion that criminal activity was occurring, the deputy attempted to detain the juvenile so he could conduct further investigation,” the statement read. “The juvenile became physically resistive at that time, causing the deputy to lose control of his handcuffs, which landed several feet away.”
Deterding went on to say that the deputy found the teen with tobacco products, “which is presumably the reason for his resistance.” However, the 14-year-old boy was cited and released to his guardians.
They’re still conducting an investigation “in order to gain a complete and thorough understanding of the events that took place during this incident.”
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