- Micah Washington was repeatedly tased in the back by Reform Police Officer Dana Elmore on Saturday
- His girlfriend Jalexis Rice said the altercation started while he was changing a flat tire
- Elmore was placed on leave after footage of the incident was widely shared, while Washington was booked into the Pickens County Jail on resisting arrest, drug and weapons charges
The girlfriend of a black Alabama man who burst into tears while being repeatedly tasered at point-blank range by a white female officer claims he was changing a tire when the altercation began.
Jalexis Rice said things quickly escalated after her partner Micah Washington, 24, was approached by Reform Police Officer Dana Elmore on Saturday.
Elmore was filmed telling Washington to “shut up” as she put a Taser in his back as he hunched over the hood of his car.
Washington had moments earlier admitted to possessing a gun, which was subsequently confiscated by Elmore.
“I couldn't do anything but cry,” said Rice, who was in the car at the time of the incident ABC News.
Micah Washington's girlfriend, Jalexis Rice, from Alabama, claims he was changing a tire when he was approached by a white officer who tased him at close range
Reform police officer Dana Elmore has been placed on leave after footage of her response was widely criticized
Washington was subsequently charged with five charges, including resisting arrest, drug and weapons charges
'After leaning him on the car and taking the gun out of his pocket, she shouted, “Oh yeah.”
“He asked her, 'Why are you saying yes?' And then she groped him in the back and just held him there.”
The Pickens County officer has since been placed on administrative leave amid widespread backlash over her behavior.
Meanwhile, Washington has been charged with obstructing government operations, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, drug trafficking and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.
He is currently in the Pickens County Jail on a $505,000 bond.
Washington's brother Shikeem Washington captured most of the incident on film. The video was shared widely on social media, sparking an angry response.
A rally was organized outside the Reform Municipal Building on Monday to protest Elmore's response.
Elmore was convicted after video showed her deploying her Taser at point-blank range in Washington's back while telling him to “shut up” as he cried in pain
Washington's mother Toris Washington told ABC she is glad the situation did not escalate further.
“Mothers with young black sons, please talk to them about situations like this, it's important. I thank God that the situation has not become worse.”
A Picken County Sheriff's Office official confirmed Elmore's identity to DailyMail.com.
Reform Police Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody Davis said they were aware of the video.
They called it a “citizen's arrest” and confirmed it took place on Saturday.
The statement read: “The Reform Police is aware of a video circulating about the arrest of a citizen on December 2.
“The department is in the process of turning over all materials related to this arrest to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation and has requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.”
“In accordance with city policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.”
Elmore was previously honored by Pickens Country Sheriff Office after helping save the life of a two-week-old baby.
She managed to revive an unconscious child through CPR and received a Life Saver Award for her 'outstanding performance'.