After being uploaded online, a video of a New York Police Department officer hitting a lady in the face during an arrest went viral.
According to TMZ, the incident took place on August 12 in Harlem. In the midst of a mob, some officers were seen making an attempt to detain a suspect in connection with an attempted murder.
As the scene became chaotic, a police officer was seen trying to push a woman away from the crowd, and she shoved him back. This made the police officer punch the woman who then fell backward to the pavement.
This left those at the scene shocked and one man was heard yelling at the cop, “Why would you do that?!”
It’s unclear if she fell unconscious, but moments later the cops had her up on her feet and put her in handcuffs.
Reacting the controversy that trailed the video, the NYPD described it as self-defense. The police department said “while police were effecting the arrest, multiple individuals on scene interfered by physically assaulting numerous officers. One officer sustained a minor injury to the head.”
Two women reportedly ended up charged with assaulting an officer, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. One of them was additionally charged with menacing and harassment, and a third woman was accused of spitting at an officer.
It’s unclear which of those women is the punching victim from the video. As of now, NYPD has not announced any discipline for the cop.