Bloody Beating Video Spurs Baltimore Cop's Resignation

Video shows unnamed officer punching 26-year-old Dashawn McGrier; 2nd officer placed on admin duties
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 13, 2018 8:44 AM CDT
Baltimore Cop Resigns After Beating Emerges on Video
The Baltimore Police Department seal is seen on ex-Commissioner Kevin Davis' uniform as he listens to Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh during a joint news conference in Baltimore on Jan. 12, 2017.   (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

An incident that "deeply disturbed" Baltimore's interim police commissioner has led to one police officer's resignation and another being put on administrative duty. CNN has bystander video of a man shouting at one officer as another stands nearby; the first starts throwing punches and 10 seconds later both men are on the ground, with the officer on top and blood from the civilian streaked across the sidewalk. The second officer is seen trying to get his hands into the tussle but doesn't appear to try to stop the first officer's punches. Neither officer has been identified, but Warren Brown, an attorney repping the civilian, identifies his client to the Baltimore Sun as 26-year-old Dashawn McGrier. Brown says the cops stopped his client without offering a reason; witnesses tell the Sun the officer who threw the punches knew McGrier and may have targeted him.

In a statement, the Baltimore PD says the cops stopped McGrier as part of a crime probe; they say McGrier refused to provide ID for a citizen's contact sheet, said to be required when cops talk to a citizen during an investigation. After initially being suspended, the punch-throwing officer resigned, per the Baltimore PD; the second officer is still on administrative duties pending an investigation. McGrier wasn't charged, police say. Brown says McGrier suffered jaw, rib, and nose fractures, per the Washington Post. "I have zero tolerance for behavior like I witnessed on the video today," Gary Tuggle, the PD's interim commissioner, said. "Officers have a responsibility and duty to control their emotions in the most stressful of situations." Brown says McGrier will sue, per WBAL. Baltimore is still haunted by the 2015 death of Freddie Gray. (More Baltimore stories.)

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