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An upstate New York police officer is on paid administrative leave after surveillance video shows him punching a woman in the throat. According to TMZ, the incident took place at an East Syracuse Walmart store on July 4.
Officers of the DeWitt Police Department were called to the store over reports of women fighting inside and allegedly using pepper spray. In recently-released body camera footage, the officer, Rory Spain, appears to attempt to separate the people fighting and ends up detaining Tyreana Edmonds –– the woman he later punches.
The video shows Edmonds apparently trying to bite Spain’s arm as he begins to lead her away. With a closed fist, Spain punches Edmonds in the throat, knocking her completely on the ground. Bystanders recording the incident immediately reacted to Spain’s punch, but as they approached, Spain told them to back up.
The DeWitt Police Department released a 15-minute video on their Facebook page Thursday (July 8), describing the incident and included footage from officers’ body cameras, store surveillance video, and bystander cell phone video. DeWitt spokesman Lt. Jerry Pace narrated the video, and said that an investigation is still underway.
“Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all facts are known and the investigation is complete,” Pace said.
Edmonds faces multiple charges from the incident including third-degree assault and second-degree attempted assault of a police officer.
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