A Los Angeles Police Department officer has been temporarily relieved of his field duties after video captured him punching a 30-year-old man, who appears to be handcuffed and not resisting, in the face while he was being detained.
The July 28 incident occurred during what is described as a traffic stop on East 113th Street near Graham Avenue in Watts.
The cell phone from the incident shows the man, identified by community activists as Alexander Donta Mitchell, shouting: “What have I done?” while he was being detained when one of the police officers punches him hard in the right side of the face.
“This young man had his hands behind his back, handcuffed,” civil rights activist Najee Ali told KTLA. “He wasn’t a threat, but we saw a police officer punch him in the face for no reason.”
-
A Los Angeles Police Department officer is seen punching a handcuffed man who does not appear to be resisting on July 28, 2024, in Watts. (Camarodoctor323) -
A Los Angeles Police Department officer is seen punching a handcuffed man who does not appear to be resisting on July 28, 2024, in Watts. (Camarodoctor323) -
A Los Angeles Police Department officer is seen punching a handcuffed man who does not appear to be resisting on July 28, 2024, in Watts. (Camarodoctor323) -
A Los Angeles Police Department officer is seen punching a handcuffed man who does not appear to be resisting on July 28, 2024, in Watts. (Camarodoctor323) -
A Los Angeles Police Department officer is seen punching a handcuffed man who does not appear to be resisting on July 28, 2024, in Watts. (Camarodoctor323)
Ali, of the Islamic Hope Project, said the incident is just the latest example of excessive force by police in the black community.
“This officer not only deserves to be on leave, but also to have his badge and handcuffs taken away,” he added.
It is unclear what happened before the punch was recorded or whether Mitchell’s hands were fully restrained, although in the video he does not appear to be resisting officers.
A witness to the violence, who described herself as a friend of Mitchell’s family and did not want to be identified on camera, said she had never seen anything like it before.
“They just opened the door and grabbed him,” she explained. “There was no reason. He was sitting in the car.
High-speed chase crash in Southern California traps suspect in car
Los Angeles Police Department officials told KTLA they are investigating the matter, saying in a statement:
“The incident is under investigation and the officer involved has been relieved of his field duties.”
As for Ali, he claims that nothing can justify the police officer’s actions.
“The video speaks for itself,” he said.
A press conference outside LAPD headquarters with Mitchell’s family members and civil rights leaders is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit KTLA.
