GA Officer On Leave After Man Slammed To Store Floor

LOVEJOY, GA — A metro Atlanta police officer has been put on leave after a man appeared to be body slammed on the floor of a Hampton retail store, authorities said Sunday.

Both Lovejoy Mayor Marci Fluellyn and Lovejoy Police Chief Steve Wright's office have announced an investigation into the incident.

The involved officer, who has not been publicly named, was placed on immediate administrative leave, Wright's office said.

The physical incident occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday in the 11400 block of Tara Boulevard in Hampton, WXIA-TV reported.

The man was suspected of creating a disturbance inside the store, WAGA-TV reported, citing Wright.

Police noted the video, which has garnered social media attention, "appears to show an officer engaged in a physical encounter with an individual whose hands appear to be positioned behind his back."

In the 20-second long video clip, it appears words are exchanged while the officer has the man's hands behind his back. Not long after, it appears the officer lifts the man off the ground and throws him to the floor.

Wright told WAGA-TV the man, who was not charged, was taken to a hospital after the incident.

The witness who recorded the incident said the man called the officer names; and still, she deemed the use of force excessive, WAGA-TV reported. The woman, only identified in the report as Ms. DeeDee, told the news outlet others thought the man had died after the slam.

Police said they are reviewing the circumstances. During the investigation, police said they will analyze the video footage, witness statements, incident reports and the department's policies and training.

"The City of Lovejoy Police Department recognizes the community's interest in this matter and remains committed to transparency, accountability and public safety," police said in a news release.