The violent arrest of a Black teen on Memorial Day could have been swept under the rug if it wasnât for the leak of a video from the incident. Now, a Florida police department is under review following criticism of the officersâ actions.
In the bystander video obtained by local Tampa news station WFLA, a 16-year-old Black boy is seen being punched repeatedly in the head by two officers cornering him in the lobby of an apartment building. The teen then throws a punch back, apparently attempting to free himself from the copâs grip.
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Seconds later, an officer deploys a Taser and the teen falls to the ground, shuddering in pain.
The video stems from a Memorial Day incident when Lakeland Police officers were dispatched to the Caroline Apartments on Griffin Road. According to the arrest report, they responded to a complaint of people using the pool who were not apartment residents.
Authorities said when they approached the teen, he refused to identify himself or his apartment number. He was uncooperative when ordered to leave and allegedly sparked the altercation by putting his hand in an officerâs face, police said.
That wasnât caught on camera. Now, his family and community are outraged.
âI couldnât stomach the fact that two LPD officers literally battered my son. Yâall are out here to protect and serve, not to be beating on peoplesâ children,â said Jatae Lewis, the teenâs mother, via WFLA.
In a statement to the outlet, the department said Chief Sammy Taylor was made aware of the incident and spoke to local activist and pastor, Dr. Clayton Cowart, who criticized the police for what he considered to be âchild abuse.â The chief put in a request for an administrative review by the department Office of Professional Standards.
The cops charged the teen with trespassing and failure to leave upon order, a misdemeanor. However, he also faces two felonies; battery on a police officer and resisting an officer with violence, per FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
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