Video Shows LAPD Officer Punch Double-Parking Suspect

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles Police Department officer seen punching a handcuffed double-parking suspect in the face has been removed from field duty while a use-of-force investigation gets underway, LAPD Deputy Chief Blake Chow announced Tuesday.

The incident was captured on video, and the mother of the man struck, 28-year-old Alexander Gofferney Mitchell, called the officer "a time-bomb ticking" and demanded a criminal investigation Tuesday.

Video of the incident was posted to Instagram Monday, and the LAPD released a statement Tuesday afternoon, claiming the punch was thrown so that officers could finish handcuffing Mitchell, who was "refusing" to place his right hand behind his back.

"During the handcuffing process, Mitchell resisted by refusing to place his hands behind his back and grasping his front waistband/pocket area with his right hand, preventing the officers from securing him," the LAPD announced. "An officer then struck Mitchell on the right side of his face, enabling the officers to complete the handcuffing."

The video shows Mitchell standing in the street next to an LAPD patrol unit with his left hand cuffed behind his back and his right hand pinned to his side as officers try to get the handcuff around his right hand. He says, "What did I do, though?" That's when one of the officers punches him in the face.

According to the LAPD, Mitchell was stopped Sunday at about 5:20 p.m. on suspicion of double parking at the intersection of 113th Street and Graham Avenue. He was ultimately arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and obstructing an investigation after being transported by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to a nearby hospital for medical clearance. He was booked at an LAPD jail facility and released with a misdemeanor citation.

A news conference took place Tuesday morning in downtown Los Angeles where Mitchell attended with his mother and lawyer. While Mitchell did not speak, his mother shared her anger over the incident.

"I'm outraged. That officer sucker-punched my son while he was in handcuffs," his mother, An'tneal Harris, said. "It's horrible. I could have been here planning for a funeral. Something has to be done. It has to stop."

She went on to say, "To see my only child handcuffed, punched in the face while he was complying — I have a problem with that. This officer is a time-bomb ticking."

Mitchell's lawyer Brad Gage said the officer who punched him"does not deserve to remain on the force" and called for the L.A. County District Attorney's Office to investigate.

Gage, said he believes that more than one punch was thrown, and that Mitchell was sitting in his car when he was approached by officers.

"It was brutal. It was uncalled for. It was unjustified, and we demand justice, accountability and an investigation," Gage said.

"This officer clearly has anger-management issues. He does not deserve to remain on the force. We're calling on the District Attorney's Office to investigate."

Civil rights advocate Najee Ali also called on District Attorney George Gascón's office to pursue charges against the officer.

In addition, some 15 speakers called in to the Police Commission meeting on Tuesday, with some asking the department to identify the officers involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, Chow, the LAPD's deputy chief, said during Tuesday's Police Commission meeting that the department has fast-tracked a use-of-force investigation into the incident.
Police had previously said the officer involved has been removed from field duty while the investigation proceeds.

City News Service contributed to this report.