Deputy punches driver during stop, video shows. L.A. sheriff has ‘a lot of questions’
Video of a California deputy lunging into a car and punching the driver drew a strong response from the Los Angeles County sheriff.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reviewing the actions of deputies after three men complained of unlawful harassment, The Los Angeles Times reported. The deputy’s actions were captured on video.
“Not only will this use of force be thoroughly investigated, but we will also examine the tactics, policies and procedures,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement to KTLA. “This incident desperately illustrates the need for the Board of Supervisors to fully fund LASD body-worn cameras.”
Omar Medina was in the car while his brother Jesus was driving and said they were pulled over for having tinted windows and a sticker violation, according to ABC 7. The Sheriff’s Department has not said why the men were pulled over, The Times reported.
“He [deputy] was already trying to open the door before the video started, just over a simple traffic ticket,” Omar Medina told ABC 7.
In the video, the men try to make a phone call after getting pulled over in Lynwood to ask for a supervisor when the deputy appears to try to open the door, according to the news outlet.
“You just stuck your hand in here and tried to open the door,” one of the men said in the video. “Like what hell? Just ask me.”
The deputy then opened the door and tried to handcuff the driver, the video shows. The deputy then punched Jesus Medina several times, the video shows.
Villanueva said he has not seen all of the raw footage, ABC 7 reported.
“I have one concern, and I have a lot of questions,” the sheriff said. “The one concern I have is for the safety of the female deputy, who was kicked in the stomach by one of the suspects. She fell to the ground. She broke her arm in three places.”
The video does not show anyone kicking the female deputy.
Jesus Medina was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, resisting the officer and driving without a license, ABC 7 reported. One of the passengers was arrested for failure to comply with a lawful order, and the third passenger was arrested for possession of methamphetamine for sales, according to the news outlet.
The deputy has “ been reassigned and is undergoing training,” according to KTLA.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Deputy punches driver during stop, video shows. L.A. sheriff has ‘a lot of questions’."