A 21-year-old man was Sparta-kicked by an Ohio police officer while he was kneeling on the ground with his hands up, according to shocking video of his arrest.
Jaemiier McElroy, 21, was struck in the back on Saturday after Officer Brandon Momirov struck his head with his foot.
Police responded to reports of a fight in the parking lot of Mahoning Manor. By the time Momirov ran to the scene, McElroy was surrounded by officers with his hands up and on his knees.
According to Canton police, the young man “appeared to be compliant” after being ordered to lie on the ground when the violent attack occurred. WKYC.
McElroy was taken to the hospital in “significant pain,” with severe swelling in his neck and face and a concussion, said his attorney, Bobby DiCello. NBC News.
The young man, who was traumatized by the event, was charged with resisting arrest. Two other men were also arrested on suspicion of “obstructing official business” and resisting arrest.
Jaemiier McElroy, 21, (pictured on his knees) was struck on his back after Officer Brandon Momirov’s foot struck him in the head on Saturday
Canton police said the young man “appeared to be compliant” after being ordered to lie on the ground when the violent attack occurred
According to NBC News, two handguns and a backpack containing marijuana, scales and money were found at the crime scene.
Bodycam footage shows Momirov running toward a scene of screaming men. He doesn’t slow down for a moment, landing on McElroy with his foot.
Later in the video, as they are arresting the others, one of them asks, “What are you doing kicking my brother like that, that’s crazy?”
The officer replied, “How many times have I told you to get on the ground? It’s not malicious, just get on the ground.”
Another officer, who is not on camera, says, “If you don’t want to listen, that’s fine, but don’t be surprised if we speak to you.”
DiCello insisted that McElroy was not part of the group at all.
McElroy (pictured) was taken to hospital in ‘significant pain’, has severe swelling to his neck and face and has suffered a concussion
“I think it’s a failure of leadership at every level,” DiCello told NBC News. “The leadership of the city has to do something about it. They have to act quickly and decisively.
“They must—they absolutely must—fire that officer.”
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said the officer “will be held accountable” for “using force outside the parameters of our training.”
DiCello, however, doesn’t believe this. He says, “There’s a group of police officers in Canton who are treating ordinary citizens as enemy combatants.”
He also noted that several of his clients have experienced violent confrontations with police since 2022.
“In another context, you would say there’s a crime wave,” he told NBC News.
The community is outraged by the video and Canton Mayor William Sherer II said he “understands”[s] The community is looking for answers and wants to take immediate action.’
The young man, who was traumatized by the incident, was charged with resisting arrest. Two handguns and a backpack containing marijuana, scales and money were found at the crime scene
“There are protocols that need to be followed, though,” he said, according to WKYC.
“I want to reiterate that the behavior seen in the video is unacceptable. This behavior will not be tolerated. It is unfortunate that these types of incidents continue to occur, which have an impact on our entire police department.”
Hector McDaniel, president of the Stark County NAACP, said he was “shocked” and “alarmed” by the video and “deeply disappointed in the policing in the community.”
He blamed the police for “moving too far to the left,” especially in Canton, and said they will focus on solutions that “help align the police with the written mission and goals that they already have.”
Kevin L’Hommedieu, head of the district court, said the city is in the process of setting up a council to deal with these issues.
The board would meet quarterly and will consist of seven people appointed by the mayor to review the Canton Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau. McDaniel will be one of the people on the board, WKYC reported.