Social media video shows Canton police officer kicking suspect

CANTON, Ohio – Controversy surrounding a social media video showing a Canton police officer kicking a suspect led to some tense moments at a city council meeting Monday night.

Police Chief John Gabbard has confirmed the authenticity of the video. The man who was kicked has since been charged with obstruction and resisting arrest, although authorities said he was following officers' orders.

The footage shows the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Jaemiier McElroy, kneeling on the ground with his hands raised while surrounded by other officers. At that moment, Officer Brandon Momirov runs up and kicks McElroy in the torso, causing him to fall to the ground.

WARNING: The following video contains violent content and offensive language. Viewers should carefully consider their opinions.

In a news release Monday afternoon, police said the incident occurred Saturday night near the Mahoning Manor apartment complex on Morris Avenue Northeast. Officers were called to the area after someone reported a fight between 10 and 15 people. Authorities said “several” people fled when police arrived, but others were tracked down and sent to the ground.

One of those suspects was McElroy, who police said “appeared to be compliant” before he was kicked. McElroy and two other men were arrested. Police said two handguns and a backpack containing “a large amount of marijuana” were recovered at the scene. It is not clear who possessed these items.

Gabbard made the following statement:

“Our officers frequently face stress and danger and are confronted by armed suspects. Their dedication to the community has resulted in an extraordinary decrease in violence, particularly gun violence, over the past two years. Crime reduction and public safety are only part of our mission, which cannot be fully accomplished without considering the impact we have on our community. In short, the way we do our jobs is just as important as the results of our efforts. Officers who use force outside the parameters of our training, policies and principles will be held accountable.”

The department is currently investigating the case, but as of Monday evening, Momirov's current employment status is unknown. At the city council meeting, several residents expressed frustration, adding that they recognize a pattern of behavior within the department following the in-custody death of Frank Tyson (which has since been ruled a homicide) as well as the firing of an officer who the city said violated protocol when he used his sniffer dog on a suspect.

“The cop got out of the car anyway, ran up to him and kicked him,” Veronica Earley said of Momirov's actions. “Who does something like that? If I did something like that to you or anyone else, I would go to jail.”

Cleveland-based civil rights attorney Bobby DiCello is now representing McElroy in the case and says his client was hospitalized after the kick. He released the following statement:

“The family of Jaemiir McElroy is sickened by the senseless and cruel acts of violence Jaemiir endured on Saturday.

“It should not be lost on anyone that after officers assaulted him and hospitalised him, they brought charges that are not supported by the video. One of those charges, resisting arrest, is not supported by the video: Jaemiir is on his knees with his hands in the air when he is kicked in the head by an officer charging at him.

“The family is determined to get justice for Jaemiir. It is time for the city of Canton to wake up and realize that their police department is targeting their own citizens and treating them as enemy combatants, not citizens.”

“We remain committed to holding these officers accountable.”