Alabama Police Handcuffed, Assaulted Black 17-Year-Old: Mother

TROY, AL — Angela Williams of Alabama said Friday that police handcuffed and assaulted her black 17-year-old son days before Christmas. She's now demanding answers.

Williams publicized her story on Facebook when she posted a photo of her son's bloodied face, drawing widespread attention. Her son, Ulysses Wilkerson, ran from police after being startled late on Dec. 23, representatives of the family said, and he ran away.

When the police caught up to Wilkerson, they began beating him, the representatives said.

Pike County District Attorney Tom Anderson told CNN police said they used force after Wilkerson reached into his waistband for what they feared might be a weapon. Troy police told WHDN-TV that Wilkerson has been charged with resisting arrest and obstruction, both misdemeanors.

Family members, some of them wearing All Lives Matter T-shirts, held a news conference Friday and spoke about how Wilkerson was another example of police mistreatment of African-Americans. The family said authorities have not told them what happened.

"I'm in the dark, and I should be the last one in the dark," Williams said.

Police in the city of Troy have been tightlipped about what happened and said state authorities are investigating. It's not clear what race the arresting officers were.

Wilkerson's father, Ulysses Wilkerson Jr., told the station his son's eye socket was cracked and his brain was swollen. The family is holding a rally Saturday, in part to seek justice for their son and bring attention to his case.

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