Image: Social Media
There is an investigation into a video showing a Baton Rouge, Louisiana police officer attempting to arrest a 13-year-old, whom the family says he had allegedly mistaken for someone else, using a chokehold.
The viral controversy “erupted” Sunday, according to a report by The Grio, when the video of a veteran police officer with his arms around the neck of the teenager surfaced on social media, reports The New York Post.
The 13-year-old can be heard on the video saying that he “wasn’t doing nothing” and that he was “a little boy.”
In another clip, an onlooker can be heard telling the officer, “You’re choking him.”
Sharon Weston Broome, the mayor-president of Baton Rouge called the incident “disturbing” in a statement.
In a press conference with Baton Rouge police Chief Murphy Paul on Monday to discuss the viral clip, Broome said she understood the “significance of this moment.”
“I want the community to know for me as Mia president that we were not stir around issues, shy away from any issues. I assure you that we were thoroughly investigating what has going on here and make sure that transparency is heightened and communication throughout this process” said Mayor Broome.
A decision hasn’t been made yet as to how or whether to discipline the officer. That matter is still under investigation.
Ron Haley, a lawyer retained to represent the boy and his family has confirmed that the teenager was charged with battery of a police officer.