Baltimore Cop Suspended w/ Pay, After Footage Of Him Attacking Citizen Dashawn McGrier Goes Viral

Baltimore Cop Suspended w/ Pay, After Footage Of Him Attacking Citizen Dashawn McGrier Goes Viral

Officer Arthur Williams of the Baltimore City Police Department has been suspended following his brutal attack of Dashawn McGrier. The beating took place outside of Q’s Bar and Liquors and left McGrier, 26, with a fractured jaw, injuries to his eye socket, ribs, nose, and left leg. The incident was caught on camera by a bystander and has gone viral on social media. According to McGrier’s attorney, Warren Brown, the incident escalated Saturday after McGrier refused to present identification. The denial was followed by the victim being wickedly assaulted by Williams as he received multiple blows “like a punching bag,” and slammed on the pavement, as he began to bleed.

Can’t believe what I just watched. What’s going on??

A post shared by the Jasmine BRAND (@thejasminebrand_) on Aug 11, 2018 at 2:02pm PDT

Following the video, an immediate investigation into the vicious attack has been launched, according to the interim police commissioner, Gary Tuggle. Upon the viewing of the video Tuggle said,

“While I have an expectation that officers are out of their cars, on foot, and engaging citizens, I expect that it will be done professionally and constitutionally. I have zero tolerance for behavior like I witnessed on the video today. Officers have a responsibility and duty to control their emotions in the most stressful of situations.”

Tuggle also noted that he was “deeply disturbed” by the video and that,

“the officer involved has been suspended while we investigate the totality of this incident.”

McGrier's attorney tells me his client was charged in a June 26th incident involving the same officer.

Online court records show McGrier was released from jail June 28th.

A friend of McGrier posted this video, which he says, shows the June 26th incident. #WBAL pic.twitter.com/S6Je33bK5h

— Vanessa Herring (@VanessaWBAL) August 12, 2018

According to Brown, the altercation that took place on Saturday was unprovoked, but later revealed Saturday’s incident stems from a previous altercation McGrier and Williams had in June 2018. In another video, McGrier can be seen on the ground while Williams is atop of him, while citizens standing around yell the question,

“What he do?!”

Upon McGrier’s release from jail on June 26^th, he was charged with assaulting an officer, disorderly conduct, obstructing and hindering, and resisting arrest, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The mayor of Baltimore City, Catherine Pugh, posted a message to Twitter, detailing her disbelief and anger towards the horrific act. She shared,

“I have seen the very disturbing video of an encounter between a Baltimore City police officer and Baltimore City resident and have demanded answers and accountability. I am in close contact with interim commissioner Tuggle who has not only suspended the officer in question but has launched an immediate investigation into the full circumstances of this encounter.”

My statement on the video of the Baltimore Police Officer pic.twitter.com/Wp5GJk80zt

— Mayor Catherine Pugh (@MayorPugh50) August 11, 2018

At Williams’ graduation from the police academy, he received many accolades and recognition. According to the Baltimore Sun, Williams earned visibility in his “defense tactics, physical training, and emergency vehicle operations,” for his “academic achievement, professional attitude, appearance, ability to supervise,” and for his “tireless and unwavering dedication” and “outstanding leadership ability.”

Update:

As we previously reported, officer Arthur Williams was captured on video brutally beating a Baltimore resident and citizen on Saturday. As of Monday, Williams has resigned from the force. Following the
beating, an immediate investigation was launched into Williams, and Interim police commissioner, Gary Tuggle stated he would be looking at the body cameras from the day of the incident, and since then, he mentions they are “relatively consistent” with the video which went viral on social media.

Tuggle notes the department is looking to press criminal assault charges against Williams but is not allowed to release any further information due to it being an ongoing criminal investigation. Baltimore State’s Attorney, Marilyn J. Mosby’s office has declined to comment, as well.

Williams has been the department for a year and graduated the police training academy in April.