New York City cops were violently arresting a man for not practicing social distancing Saturday when one of the cops turned to a witness and attacked him, threatening to taser him before dragging him down and punching him several times.
The incident was captured on video and has led to the cop, Francisco Garcia, being placed on “modified duty” as internal affairs investigates.
However, Garcia already has a long history of abusive behavior and has cost taxpayers thousands in settlements, according to Shaun King, who posted the following on Facebook.
The video begins with a group of four plainclothes cops dragging a man down on the sidewalk for committing the crime of social closeness. Or maybe it was for the weed they claimed they found. Garcia naturally had his knee on the man’s face when he turned towards the crowd and approached a man with his taser drawn, telling him to “move the fuck back.”
At one point, the witness, identified as Donni Wright, stood in front of Garcia with his right hand formed into a fist, which is when Garcia grabbed him and tripped him, punching him repeatedly as another cop comes in to assist. Garcia claimed the man took a “fighting stance” which is usually all a cop has to say to be given a green light to kill and abuse.
However, the NYPD charged Wright with assault on a police officer, menacing, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct. At least one of those charges is clearly fabricated because he never assaulted the cop.
According to the New York Daily News, cops discovered “a large amount of marijuana” on the first man they arrested who has been identified as Shakiem Brunson, 31. While they were arresting him, police said a woman named Ashley Serrano, 22, approached and tried to “intervene,” resulting in her being arrested on several charges, including weapon possession.
Cops originally approached the group for not following social distancing mandates during the cornavirus pandemic when they found a large amount of marijuana, according to police.
While trying to arrest the owner of the marijuana, a woman approached the cops and tried to intervene. Both the woman and the man were being arrested when Wright, 33, approached the cops with a “fighting stance,” according to police.
Wright was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer, menacing, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and two counts of disorderly conduct.
The man and woman initially being arrested, Shakiem Brunson, 31, and Ashley Serrano, 22, were both hit with a slew of charges including resisting arrest, weapon possession and disorderly conduct. Brunson was also charged with marijuana possession.
During a coronavirus press conference on Sunday, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said the incident started out as a social distancing violation before it escalated. Shea did not provide details but said the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau was investigating.
“That was just savage,” said one NYPD officer who reviewed the video. “Why would that cop have even gone over there (to confront the second man)? He had nothing to do with the first arrest.”
The NYPD issued 51 summons on Saturday for social distancing violations, according to Pix 11. At least two of the arresting cops were not wearing face masks. Last month, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an order requiring all essential workers to wear face masks.
Watch the video below.
