A video circulating on social media depicts a North Carolina police officer striking a black woman multiple times during an arrest, while other officers restrain her. The police department argues that the officer aimed his strikes intentionally to gain compliance, but the police chief acknowledged the public’s “outrage” over the incident.
During a news conference, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Johnny Jennings explained that the woman interfered when officers were arresting a man for smoking marijuana at a bus stop, leading to a struggle. Lt. Kevin Pietrus stated that the responding officer struck the woman as part of his training to facilitate her arrest.
The police department stated on Tuesday, “After several repeated verbal commands, an officer struck the female subject seven times with knee strikes and 10 closed fist strikes to the peroneal nerve in the thigh to try to gain compliance. The officer was intentional about where the strikes were made.”
One bystander video circulating online shows four officers kneeling and restraining the woman as a fifth repeatedly strikes her with a closed fist. During the incident, onlookers shout at the officers to stop. After a few seconds, the officers stand up and guide the woman to a police SUV with her arms restrained behind her back.
“I get it. I understand the outrage. I understand the emotions that come when you look at a video that involves an officer who is punching a female” police are trying to subdue, Jennings expressed at the news conference.
Jennings, with 32 years of policing experience, acknowledged having been in similar physical struggles in the past.
“I can tell you that I’ve never been involved in using force that has looked pretty and has looked good to the public,” he stated. “So these are difficult situations. And all I ask is we continue to let this investigation internally play out.”
The department’s internal affairs bureau is currently investigating the incident, as stated by Jennings. He suggested that other agencies might conduct their own investigations in the future. The involved officer, Vincent Pistone, has been temporarily reassigned from the patrol division to investigations. The department does not release information about officers’ races, according to a spokesperson.
Police assert that the woman, identified as a 24-year-old black woman from Charlotte, assaulted an officer. However, neither the video showing the officer striking the woman nor two other videos captured from a different angle reveal the beginning of the encounter between police and the arrested individuals. The woman’s attorney, Lauren Newton, has not responded to inquiries seeking comment.
Jennings mentioned on Wednesday that the body camera of the officer who was allegedly hit by the woman was knocked off during the struggle.
The chief emphasized the public’s right to view the bodycam footage, and he believes it will be released. However, it may take a couple of months, as North Carolina law requires a court order for the release of such a video. The department has reportedly petitioned the court for permission to release the footage.
As officers were taking the man into custody, they discovered a loaded handgun in his bag, resulting in charges of carrying a concealed weapon. The woman was charged with assault on a government official, along with resisting officers and marijuana possession charges for both individuals.
Bojangles, the restaurant chain, has confirmed that the man and woman involved in the incident worked at its location near the arrest scene. However, the company stated that they had already completed their shifts and were off the property when approached by the police, according to news reports.
Vice President of Communications Stacey McCray expressed shock and sadness over the video, stating that, like many other Charlotteans, they are awaiting more details about the incident. McCray emphasized the company’s intent to fully cooperate with any investigation.
At the news conference, Chief Jennings acknowledged the unfavorable optics of the situation, stating that it “shouldn’t have happened.” He raised questions about the officers initiating arrests for marijuana use, even though they can, and whether the woman should have interfered with the man’s arrest and struck officers.
