Now every damn colored thug in America is going to holler ‘I can’t breathe’
Source: New York Post
A white Virginia cop has been charged with assault after disturbing video caught him pressing his knee into the back of a black man — who yells, “I can’t breathe!” — and using a stun gun on him, according to reports.
Police Officer Tyler Timberlake was charged with three counts of assault and battery, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said in a statement, according to the Fort Hunt Herald.
“We can all agree that the footage of this incident is unsettling. I want our community to know that we are pursuing charges that are in line with current law,”
Steve Descano
Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney
Bodycam video of the incident released by Fairfax County police shows the man rambling as he walks in circles in the middle of a street at 1:30 a.m. Friday, at times asking for oxygen and detox treatment, the news outlet reported.
Police and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department paramedics encourage him to get into an ambulance to be taken to a hospital, but he continues to walk around aimlessly in the Mount Vernon neighborhood.
A person who appeared to be a medic tells the man, “I’m here to help you, so tell me what you need.”
At one point, Timberlake, an eight-year veteran of the department, uses a Taser on the man as the officer wearing the camera is heard asking: “Is he wanted [for arrest]?”
Timberlake then orders the man to roll over, puts his knee into his back and appears to use the Taser on him again after repeatedly telling him to relax during the struggle.
The officers and paramedics finally manage to pin the man down to be cuffed. He repeatedly says, “I can’t breathe,” at which point the cops roll him to his side.
The Fairfax County police chief, Col. Edwin Roessler, described Timberlake’s use of force as “horrible,” saying that now is meant to be a time for healing as a county and nation as he expressed prayers for the victim and his family.
“Our officers have goodness in their hearts and care about the sanctity of human life. The video also erodes the public’s trust of police officers, not only in Fairfax County but throughout this world. These acts are unacceptable,”
Col Edwin Roessler
Fairfax County Police Chief
In a statement issued Sunday, Fairfax police said that “the actions of the officer clearly exceeded the boundaries of law, policy and professionalism,” adding that the victim was “a man in crisis wandering around in the roadway.”
Fairfax County Police Department Statement
Fairfax County Cop Charged With Assault and Battery On Black
Jethro