WATCH: New video of controversial Canton arrest in which officer kicked suspect
CANTON, Ohio (WJW) — Police on Thursday released body-worn camera footage of a controversial arrest, in which a Canton police officer is accused of kicking a suspect.
A group of officers responding to a report of an argument among a large group of 10 to 15 people at Mahoning Manor late Saturday, Aug. 24, were able to stop some of the young men, who had run from them.
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Witnesses said one of the men that police caught up with, 21-year-old Jaemiir McElroy, was kneeling on the ground when Canton Ptl. Brandon Momirov ran up and kicked the 21-year-old without warning.
His family has now hired an attorney, who said McElroy was later taken to the emergency room, suffering from a concussion.
“As you see in the video, Jaemiir is on his knees with his hands up, his brother is to his right on his stomach. They have all complied with all of the commands to ‘get down, get down, get down,'” attorney Bobby DiCello previously told FOX 8 News.
“There is nothing in that video to justify this sentence.”
Momirov’s actions are now “under review” by Canton police.
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Police Chief John Gabbard previously said in a statement:
Our officers frequently face stressful, dangerous situations and confrontations with armed suspects. Their dedication to the community has resulted in exceptional reductions in violence, especially gun violence over the past two years. Crime reduction and public safety is only part of our mission, which cannot be fully realized without consideration of the effect we have on our community. In short, how we do our job is as important as the results of our efforts. Officers using force outside the parameters of our training, policy and principles will be held accountable.
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard
Two other suspects were arrested. Another suspect, who was reportedly armed, escaped, according to a statement from the city.
Officers at the scene recovered two 9-millimeter pistols and a backpack with “a large amount” of marijuana, cash and scales inside, according to the city.
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