CANTON, Ohio — Controversy over video on social media showing a Canton police officer kicking a suspect led to some tense moments at a City Council meeting Monday night.
Police Chief John Gabbard has confirmed the veracity of the video. The man who was kicked has since been charged with obstruction and resisting arrest, despite authorities saying he was complying with officers' orders.
The footage shows the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Jaemiier McElroy, kneeling on the ground with his hands in the air while surrounded by other officers. As this occurs, Officer Brandon Momirov runs up and kicks McElroy in the upper body, causing McElroy to fall to the ground.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, police said the incident occurred Saturday night near the Mahoning Manor apartment complex on Morris Avenue Northeast. Officers were called to the area after someone reported an argument involving 10-15 people, and authorities say "multiple" individuals fled once law enforcement arrived, however others were located and ordered to the ground.
One of those suspects was McElroy, whom the department admits "appeared to be complying" before being kicked. McElroy and two other men were arrested, with police saying two handguns and a backpack containing "a large amount of marijuana" were recovered from the scene. It is not clear just who possessed these items.
You can watch the video in the player below.
WARNING: The below video contains violent content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Gabbard released the following statement:
"Our officers frequently face stressful, dangerous situations and confrontations with armed suspects. Their dedication to the community has resulted in exceptional reductions in violence, especially gun violence over the past two years. Crime reduction and public safety is only part of our mission, which cannot be fully realized without consideration of the effect we have on our community. In short, how we do our job is as important as the results of our efforts. Officers using force outside the parameters of our training, policy and principles will be held accountable."
The department is currently investigating the matter, but as of Monday night, Momirov's current employment status is not known. At the City Council meeting, a number of residents expressed their frustrations, adding that they see a pattern of behavior within the department following the in-custody death of Frank Tyson (since ruled to be a homicide) as well as the firing of an officer whom the city said violated protocol when he deployed his K-9 on a suspect.
"That cop still got out that car, ran to him, and dropped kicked him," Veronica Earley said of Momirov's actions. "Who does that? If I were to do that to you or anybody else, I'd be in jail."
Cleveland-based civil rights attorney Bobby DiCello is now representing McElroy in the case, and he says his client was hospitalized after being kicked. He released the following statement:
"The family of Jaemiir McElroy are sickened by the senseless and cruel acts of violence that Jaemiir endured on Saturday.
"It should not be lost on anyone that after officers attacked him and hospitalized him, they issued charges which find no support in the video. One of those charges, resisting arrest, is not justified by the video: Jaemiir is on his knees with his hands in the air when he is kicked in the head by an officer who charges at him.
"The family is resolved to get justice for Jaemiir. It is time for the City of Canton to wake up and realize that its police department is attacking its own citizens and treating them as enemy combatants rather than citizens.
"We remain committed to holding these officers accountable."