'It's Cause He's Black' NJ Cops Under Fire After Teen Mall Fight

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A fight between two students and the subsequent Bridgewater Police response captured on video at the mall has prompted an investigation following claims of racial profiling. (See video below)

The video, which was shared in a private Facebook group Bridgewater Martinsville Raritan NJ Community Forum, shows one white teen and one Black teen getting into an argument at Bridgewater Commons.

The fight is heated from the beginning of the video before the white teen begins putting his finger in the Black teen's face.

"Get your hand out of my face," says the Black teen before pushing his hand away.

The white teen then shoved the Black teen before a fistfight breaks out with the teens falling into a couch and then the ground.

The fight lasted a total of 10 to 15 seconds before Bridgewater Police stepped in pulling the white teen onto the couch while another officer kneeled on the back of the Black teen before handcuffing him. A second officer also helps to hold down the teen by kneeling on him.

A teen standing by and filming can be heard saying "It's cause he's Black."

The poster, who shared the video in the group, said her 8th grade son was sent the video along with other students in the district.

"Incident of racial profiling by the [Bridgewater Police Department] at the [Bridgewater] mall," wrote the poster.

The Black teen, identified as Kye who is 14 years old, said he was defending his friend who was in 7th grade, according to NBC.

"It doesn't take two cops to hold 14-year-old boy own who is not resisting, while the other boy is just going free and still going off on my son. It just doesn't make sense," said Kye's mother Ebone, according to NBC interview.

"We are aware of the incident and both of the young individuals involved were immediately banned from our property for the next three years," said Bridgewater Commons Senior General Manger Troy Fischer.

The Bridgewater Police Department released a statement since receiving feedback from the community calling for an internal affairs investigation after the video began circulating.

"The Bridgewater Twp Police Department is aware of a video on social media of our officers stopping a fight in progress at the Bridgewater Commons Mall. We recognize that this video has made members of our community upset and are calling for an internal affairs investigation. The officers were able to respond quickly to this incident and stop it from escalating because of a tip we received from the community," said Captain Sean O'Neill.

As a result, the department requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office assist Bridgewater in this matter and are requesting patience as they strictly adhere to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Internal Affairs Directive - njoag.gov/iapp.

O'Neill said the department appreciates the videos they have already received from community members and ask that anyone who has a video of this incident to email it to tips@bridgewaterpd.com.

"The men and women of the Bridgewater Township Police Department are thankful for our community partners and look forward to continuing to build our positive relationships," said O'Neill.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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