Jania Ashlynn
Several Harris County police officers are under investigation for their violent conduct during the apprehension of two high school football players.
Videos by Rare
Unlawful Actions
Last week, a video of the incident was spread on social media, leading to people questioning whether the deputies used too much force while making the arrests.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has released a statement announcing they are starting an investigation to determine if any policies or procedures were broken during the arrest.
The video was taken earlier this month. In it, you can see the parking lot of a shopping center. Officers were in the process of arresting Langham Creek High School student Seth Palumbo. His teammate, Kristopher Willis, called him for assistance when he ran out of gas.
“As my friends pulled up, I gave them the bottles I had so they can fill it up with gas so I can make it to the gas station,” Willis told the local news outlet, ABC 13.
Willis said that around three to four police cars showed up and stopped them. It is unclear if Willis and Palumbo’s cars were on the road at that time.
Palumbo’s passenger took the video footage. In it, you can see a deputy removing Palumbo from the vehicle. He is shouting to the officer that he didn’t do anything wrong. The officer continues to drag the boy from the car and slam him on the ground. More officers surround the vehicle and attempt to stop Willis from filming the incident along with the passenger in Palumbo’s car.
The passenger in the car was asked to leave before the deputy took his phone. The deputy then put the phone camera-side down, preventing any further recording. Willis was charged with one count of impeding a roadway. Palumbo was charged with assault on a police officer, but the charge was later dismissed.
Further Investigation
“I feel like police are really supposed to be peace officers,” Palumbo stated after the judge ruled to dismiss his charges, “I feel like he just did a lot of aggravation. He wasn’t really trying to be peaceful. I feel like we don’t need people like that in the community.”
Willis’ father shared a statement as well. “I really think the police should be held accountable the same way they are holding my son accountable for a crime he did not commit.”
Antuan Johnson, the Willis family attorney, said that ““The only reason we are here is that he had the courage to get out the phone and record, and by that, we were able to see what happened.”
