Black Man Struck By LA Deputies During Violent Arrest May Lose His Eye: Family

A Black man from Inglewood, California, was thrashed by Los Angeles deputies while he was taken into custody last week. After a video of the violent arrest popped up on social media, the family of the 24-year-old man called for accountability, saying he might lose an eye.

Blake Anderson was taken into custody on Oct.16 on multiple charges, including possession of a firearm and assault on a police officer with a firearm. Anderson was arrested while he was on duty at a hookah lounge where he worked as a security guard, his family said, NBC News reported.

The video captured by onlookers showed Anderson getting punched by two officers who grabbed him by the neck and pushed him to the ground before slamming his head on the pavement.

"Blake was conversing with a customer when the officers got out of their vehicle and proceeded to ambush him with no probable cause. No name, source of identification, or justification for arrest was asked for before immediately slamming his head into a glass window," the family said in a GoFundMe page established for his treatment.

Anderson's mother, Tiffany Flemming, claimed her son was a victim of "racial profiling." Flemming said she talked to the officers after the arrest, but they did not know why Anderson was taken into custody and just told her authorities were investigating.

"I said, 'How would you be investigating now to see? You should've already known [why] when you guys approached him,'" Flemming told NBC News.

Anderson "sustained minor injuries" in the incident and was medically cleared for booking, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

"It should be noted suspect Anderson had a previous traumatic injury which he sustained in an unrelated incident prior to contact with deputies," it added.

Anderson's family said although he had a previous injury to his right eye, the incident aggravated his condition, which was otherwise getting better. "Doctors say the eye must be cosmetically removed, and a prosthetic eye should be inserted," the family said.

Anderson was released on bond the same day, according to court records.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's department said they are investigating the incident.

"The incident is under review by our Internal Affairs Bureau, and we are unable to comment further due to a pending investigation," the officials said.