Anaheim Police Protests: Watch Video Of Officer Attacking Children
UPDATE: 3:25 AM EST -- The Anaheim Police Department arrested at least 24 people Wednesday on misdemeanor charges after protesters failed to disperse following repeated warnings, police said on Twitter. The protest was aimed at a viral video that showed a Los Angeles police officer attacking children.
Original story:
Almost 300 people marched through the streets of Anaheim, California, late Wednesday after an incident involving an off-duty Los Angeles police officer firing his gun at teenagers was caught on tape, raising concerns about increased incidents of police brutality against minorities. The video of the unidentified officer attempting to detain an unarmed juvenile went viral after he discharged his firearm into a group of teens during the scuffle.
A 13-year-old was booked for criminal threats and battery and another 15-year-old was arrested. The incident took place close to Disneyland around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday.
“Like many in the community, I've seen the video and I'm very concerned about what it shows,” Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait was quoted as saying by the Orange County Register. “Anaheim is committed to a full and impartial investigation. Our city will move forward without delay.”
The peaceful protest started at the area of the shooting Wednesday, but soon moved to the police officer's house, where things got heated. While the protest was meant to be completely non-violent, there was an incident of profanities being spray-painted on the police officer’s neighbors’ property.
Anaheim police officers in riot gear were deployed to the scene. Police asked the protesters to disperse, or face arrest. Police said on Twitters arrests were being made and that the department would not tolerate any acts of violence or vandalism.
In the video, the teenagers are seen complaining about violence.
“Punch a kid in the nuts, that's a little pussy move,” one boy says. “Let me go, for the last time!”
It's unclear who took the video.
“We cannot authenticate the validity of these videos as they were not recorded or posted by APD,” said Anaheim police spokesman Daron Wyatt in a press release. “However, they do appear to depict portions of the incident in question.”
Read the Los Angeles Police Department's statement on the incident below:
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