A POLICE OFFICER in the town of McKinney, Texas has been suspended after the release of a shocking video, which shows him violently wrestling a teenage black girl to the ground, and running after others with his gun drawn.
The incident, which has caused outrage in the United States, took place on Friday evening, but the disturbing video was not reported in the media until tonight.
According to Fox 4 in Dallas, Texas, the brutality followed a disturbance at the Craig Ranch Community Pool, where a number of African-American teenagers had gathered to go swimming.
Local police claimed they “did not live in the area or have permission to be there,” and had been fighting.
However, eyewitness reports indicated at least one older white woman began shouting racist abuse at the children, and a fracas developed.
Brandon Brooks, a local 15-year-old, who is white, and shot the original video, told Buzzfeed News:
I think a bunch of white parents were angry that a bunch of black kids who don’t live in the neighborhood were in the pool
The video shows black teens standing around and being ordered to leave the area by McKinney police, and some being forced on to the ground, despite no apparent disorder or violence on their part.
One officer in particular – understood to have since been suspended – shouts numerous orders at several children on the street.
In one especially shocking moment, he drags a bikini-wearing teenage girl, understood to be 14 years old, to the ground by her hair.
When others approach to attempt to stop the brutality, the officer can be seen pulling his gun and chasing after them.
He returns to the girl, orders her “on your face”, before kneeling on her back as she can be heard weeping.
Warning: This video contains violence against children and strong language.
In a statement tonight, McKinney police said:
First responding officers encountered a large crowd that refused to comply with police commands. Nine additional units responded to the scene.
Officers were eventually able to gain control of the situation.
McKinney Police later learned of a video that was taken at the scene by an unknown party. This video has raised concerns that are being investigated by the McKinney Police Department.
At this time, one of the responding officers has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation.
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