FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) — An investigation is underway right into a Fort Myers police officer’s use of drive, after a video confirmed him pulling a gun on two teenage boys and surprising one among them with a taser.
Based on NBC affiliate WBBH, the incident occurred on Might 2 when the officer carried out a visitors cease on 19-year-old E’Zarius Lockwood and Easter Clarence Alexander on the intersection of Henderson and Lincoln in Fort Myers.
The kids pulled up behind the officer and honked their horn to reportedly let him know they have been behind him. WBBH selected to not identify the officer because of no expenses being filed as of this report.
The video exhibits the officer strategy the lads, holding out his gun and pointing it at Lockwood. After demanding that the kids get again of their automotive, the cop slams Alexander in opposition to a car.
“I requested him, ‘What you going to do, shoot me?’ He was like, ‘Get within the automotive,’ however I do know me, and if I get within the automotive, he is going to have the ability to shoot me. Actually, I used to be scared and feared for my life,” Alexander instructed WBBH.
Lockwood claimed he tried to de-escalate the scenario earlier than the officer tased him.
The household of the victims believes the officer ought to be faraway from his place and held accountable. They even met with the president of the NAACP to get them concerned.
Nonetheless, retired officer of 20 years, Mike Hole, spoke with WBBH, saying the video doesn’t inform the entire story and that the lads clearly did not adjust to the officer’s instructions.
“I do know what actually went down, and I’ll stick to what I see,” Alexander instructed the information outlet.
Fort Myers police launched the next assertion:
Chief Fields is conscious of the video presently circulating on social media that depicts a portion of an interplay involving an FMPD Officer making an attempt to conduct a visitors cease. We wish to emphasize that the video footage being shared represents solely a section of the particular incident. Per coverage, the Police Division will conduct a radical assessment of the drive utilized in response to resistance.
We acknowledge the considerations expressed by members of our group. Transparency and belief are foundational to our relationship with these we serve, and we take these issues very critically. Because the assessment progresses, we’ll present updates whereas sustaining the integrity of the method. We ask to your persistence as we conduct a good and complete evaluation of the occasions. Our purpose is at all times to make sure the security of our group and to stay accountable to our residents.
Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields is asking the general public to stay affected person as they conduct their investigation.
