Legislation enforcement physique digicam video was launched Monday of the violent arrest Friday of a 24-year-old Black man who suffered what seems to be vital facial swelling within the confrontation.
Sheriff’s officers mentioned Lekian Woods was injured throughout his arrest Friday, with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace saying he evaded arrest on drug trafficking costs and after officers believed he was armed.
Physique digicam video, launched Monday, reveals one detective hanging Woods within the face a minimum of twice, whereas one other kneed him whereas they repeated instructions to point out his palms.
Woods’ lawyer, Harry Daniels, mentioned Woods was taken to the hospital with a extreme concussion, and that Woods “appears like he simply went 12 rounds with knowledgeable boxer.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned there may be an administrative overview to find out if any of the officers violated the coverage. Sheriff TK Waters pledged transparency.
“Power was used when arresting investigators, and sure, that drive is ugly,” Waters mentioned. “Simply because drive is ugly, doesn’t suggest it is unlawful or towards coverage,” he mentioned.
Woods was arrested round 2 p.m. Friday on drug and different costs. He fled the parking zone after he was seen making a drug deal, mentioned Mike Shell, chief {of professional} requirements for the Jacksonville Police Bureau.
Two different folks have been handcuffed on the site visitors cease, one in all whom had a gun in his entrance proper pocket, in keeping with physique digicam video and the arrest report. It was not instantly clear whether or not they had been charged.
Physique digicam video of an officer detaining a pickup truck driver reveals somebody operating, and the officer saying over the radio “We have one operating.” The others are then handcuffed from the truck.
One other detective chases Woods, saying “You are loopy” by a yard, a parking zone and one other grassy space, in keeping with the video. The officer warns that he’ll use the Taser after which deploys the gadget, at which level Woods descends face-first onto a paved avenue, as seen within the video.
Woods has one arm underneath him, and the detective seems to hit him within the face as he will get up and because the officer repeats instructions to place his palms behind his again.
The video confirmed one in all Woods’ palms behind his again however the different remained beneath him, and the investigator punched him a second time within the face, at which level his jaw space was lined in blood.
At that time a second investigator arrives and begins kneeing Woods within the head space, saying, “Put your palms behind your again,” “Give it, give me the hand,” “Nonetheless struggle me,” and “Give it to me.” Hand!”
That detective wrote within the arrest report that he “delivered 4 knee strikes to the higher shoulder space, focusing on the shoulder muscle to get Lekian’s left arms into compliance.
“It must be famous that there have been unintentional knee strikes to Lekian’s face throughout the battle,” the investigator wrote within the arrest report.
After a battle, the video reveals Woods being handcuffed. The video launched Monday doesn’t present that Woods was carrying a gun.
The arrest report alleges that Woods gave a firearm to the opposite one that was handcuffed on the site visitors cease. Waters mentioned investigators weren’t conscious he had given the gun to another person on the time of his arrest
“Based mostly on at the moment obtainable data, the company believes the investigators concerned acted appropriately with respect to the legislation and JSO coverage,” mentioned Mike Schill, chief {of professional} requirements for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace.
Within the pickup truck, luggage containing a white or crystalline substance that the officer says contained cocaine, methamphetamine and presumably fentanyl have been discovered inside a Burberry field, in keeping with physique digicam video.
Woods was arrested on costs of armed trafficking in amphetamine, armed trafficking in cocaine, armed possession of a managed substance, resisting an officer and tampering with proof, in keeping with the arrest report.
Woods’ household and their attorneys plan to carry a information convention on Tuesday.
A passerby additionally took a video of the incident. Among the movies circulating seem to have been edited to make it seem as if an informant kicked Woods whereas he was handcuffed, Waters, the sheriff, mentioned on the information convention Monday.
Waters mentioned physique digicam video and unedited cellphone digicam video present the detective didn’t kick Woods whereas he was handcuffed.
Woods suffered facial accidents when he was shocked by the stun gun and “fell face first onto the concrete,” Waters mentioned, admitting that investigators beat Woods.
“They used blows to subdue him, however he continued to withstand arrest,” Waters mentioned.
Daniels, the Woods household’s lawyer, mentioned the video reveals officers “slamming his head to the bottom and tossing him round like a ragdoll,” demanding to be taken off the road.
Woods was in custody and scheduled to face trial on Oct. 24, in keeping with on-line jail data. He’s additionally being held on a probation violation cost after a earlier theft conviction in Lyon County, officers mentioned.
On-line courtroom data didn’t present Woods’ case Monday evening, and it was unclear if he had entered a plea but.
Monday’s video from the Sheriff’s Workplace and arrest report refers back to the detectives concerned by their final names. A request for his or her full names submitted to the Sheriff’s Workplace late Monday was not instantly responded to.