Investigation Underway After Viral Video Shows LAPD Officer Punching Handcuffed Black Man
The officer who is seen punching the handcuffed man has been removed from field duties, the LAPD said
An LAPD officer is being investigated after he was seen on video punching a Black man who'd been handcuffed.
On Sunday, July 28, a man is shown on a video taken by a bystander being handcuffed by two officers in the street in Watts, the Los Angeles Times and NBC 4 report.
The man can be heard asking, “What did I do?” CBS News reports.
Moments later, one of the officers is seen punching the man in handcuffs in the face in the video, which has since gone viral.
One of the officers is heard saying, “You’re resisting,” as they lead him away, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The man responded, “No, I’m not,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the LAPD said it is aware of an incident that unfolded following a traffic stop on July 28, 2024 in the Southeast Area, involving use of force.
“The incident is under investigation, and the officer involved has been removed from field duties.”
The man, who was not publicly identified, was stopped because he was allegedly double parked with his car facing in the wrong direction, LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said Tuesday, July 30, CBS News reports.
The bystander recorded the video at about 5 p.m. in the 1700 block of 113th Street in Watts, CBS News reports.
The man fell to the ground after he was punched, neighbors said, CBS News reports.
The man was later taken from the scene by ambulance.
The man, identified by news outlets including CBS News and 10 News as Alexander Mitchell, appeared at a press conference Tuesday, with his mother and attorney Brad Gage, who is representing him.
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"I'm outraged,” the mother, An'tneal Harris said, 10 News reports. “That officer sucker punched my son while he was in handcuffs. It's horrible. I could have been here planning for a funeral. Something has to be done. It has to stop."
“It was brutal,” Gage said, 10 News reports. “It was uncalled for. It was unjustified, and we demand justice, accountability and an investigation.”
Mitchell was charged with obstructing an investigation, Gage said.
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