OPA Launches 2 Probes Into Weekend Protest Response

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle's Office of Police Accountability will undertake two more probes related to police officers' actions at ongoing protests, adding to 15 separate investigations already underway.

The civilian-led police watchdog said Tuesday at least 16,829 complaints alleging officer misconduct have been filed since protests over police killings, brutality and systemic racism began on May 29.

Anne Bettesworth, an OPA spokesperson, said multiple complaints were filed over the police department's use of OC and CS gas canisters over the weekend, despite a temporary ban on the latter announced by the mayor and police chief last Friday. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best told reporters Monday she authorized the use of tear gas Sunday night due to a "life safety issue."

Another probe will examine allegations that police targeted a medical tent with flash-bangs that same night. A story shared on Reddit described a chaotic scene as street medics rushed to assist a woman who was seriously injured by an apparent police projectile. A friend of the victim told Patch she was released from the hospital and continues to recover. An online fundraiser was set up to help pay for her medical costs.

Related: Seattle Police Leave East Precinct, Remove Barricades

17 investigations related to alleged police misconduct at protests

1. Pepper spraying a young girl (Saturday): 2020OPA-0322
2. Punching a person on the ground who was being arrested (Friday): 2020OPA-0323
3. Placing a knee on the neck area of two people who had been arrested (Saturday): 2020OPA-0324
4. Covering up badge numbers: 2020OPA-0325
5. Failing to record law enforcement activity on body-worn video: 2020OPA-0326
6. Pepper spraying peaceful protestors (Saturday): 2020OPA-0327
7. The use of flashbangs, including causing a significant thumb injury (Saturday): 2020OPA-0328
8. Failing to secure rifles in the rear of a patrol vehicle (Saturday): 2020OPA-0329
9. Punching a person on the ground who was being arrested (Sunday): 2020OPA-0330
10. Officers breaking windows of a Target store (date unknown): 2020OPA-0331
11. A confrontation between an officer and a male (Monday): 2020OPA-0332
12. A flashbang striking a reporter (Monday): 2020OPA-0333
13. Using pepper spray and flashbangs to disperse a crowd (Monday): 2020OPA-0334
14. A homeless man injured by a flashbang (Monday): 2020OPA-0335
15. Threatening violence towards demonstrators over police radio (date unknown): 2020OPA-0337
16. Using flash bangs to target a medic tent (Sunday): 2020OPA-0344
17. Using tear gas after it was banned: 2020OPA-0345

Last week, OPA Director Andrew Myerberg told the Seattle City Council he would dedicate 100 percent of his staff to protest-related investigations. A spokesperson told Patch the office would seek additional resources from the city to expedite the findings.

According to the OPA, the majority of complaints received to date have referenced a video showing a young girl who bystanders said was hit by police pepper spray on Saturday, May 30.

Evan Hreha, the man who filmed that video, was later arrested by police on accusations he "unlawfully discharged a laser pointer." Friends of Hreha told the Stranger they feared the arrest was an act of retaliation.

A spokesman for the King County Prosecutor's Office told Patch Hreha was released from jail Monday night with no felony charges filed. The city attorney's office said the Seattle Police Department intends to refer the case as a misdemeanor.

Since out-of-custody arraignments are on-hold due to COVID-19, any potential charge would not be filed until after July 31. In the meantime, prosecutors will review the available evidence, interview witnesses and determine whether charges are warranted.

The OPA said it continues to seek additional witnesses or family members of the girl seen in Hreha's video.

Related: Videos Of Seattle Mother's Arrest Go Viral, Police Respond

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