Arkansas State Police are investigating shocking footage of three officers repeatedly punching a man in the head in Crawford County.
Naomi Johnson shared the footage on social media after her sister saw the incident and took a picture on her phone.
According to the Arkansas Times, Johnson’s sister said she saw a “shoeless” man who appeared to be in a mental disorder talking to police when he stopped at a gas station. The man appeared to be running at the police officers and they fought him. As witnesses screamed at the police, the officers could be heard telling them to “pay the bill”.
The man has been identified as Randall Worcester, 27, of Goose Creek, South Carolina. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, later released and booked into the Van Buren jail, authorities told The Daily Beast.
Worcester is charged with second-degree battery, resisting arrest, refusing to submit, possession of an instrument of crime, trespassing, criminal trespass, terroristic threats and second-degree assault.
Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler told The Daily Beast that special agents from the Arkansas State Police Investigations Division are investigating the incident.
“Arkansas State Police are investigating the use of force by two Crawford County Sheriff’s deputies and a Mulberry police officer during the arrest of a North Carolina man. South,” he said. The investigation was opened at the request of the attorney of the 21st judicial district. In a Facebook post Sunday evening, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they had “asked the Arkansas State Police to investigate” and said the deputies had been suspended. until the results of the investigation are out. “I hold all of my officers accountable for their actions, and I will take the appropriate action in this case,” said Sheriff Jimmy Damante.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson tweeted late Sunday confirming that after discussions with Arkansas State Police Col. After Bill Bryant, the incident will be investigated according to video evidence at the request of the prosecutor.
State police investigations “will be limited to the use of physical force by the deputies and the officer,” Sadler said. “Once the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Crawford County District Attorney who will determine whether to use law enforcement powers in accordance with Arkansas law.”
Sadler turned the question about the identity of the police officers “to their different departments where the work is done.”
