Fred Kerley, a track-and-field athlete who competed in the Paris Olympics for Team USA and won a bronze medal in the 100m, was arrested in Miami on Thursday. Footage of the arrest, circulating on social media, shows him being held down and struck by Miami Beach police officers.
Incident Leading to Fred Kerley’s Arrest
According to law enforcement, Kerley was trying to access an active police scene while walking toward his parked car. Police body camera footage, obtained by USA Today, shows an officer instructing Kerley to leave the area and holding out his hand. Kerley moved the officer’s hand, which allegedly escalated the incident.
Police Response and Use of Force Against Fred Kerley
Footage of the altercation shows four police officers holding Kerley to the ground, with one striking him several times in the rib cage. The athlete was also Tased during the encounter.
Fred Kerley’s Attorney and Judge React to the Arrest
One of Kerley’s attorneys, Yale Sanford, described the incident as “a complete overuse of any reasonable force by officers,” according to USA Today.
A judge also expressed concerns about the officers’ actions.
“Sergeant, this could have been handled a different way,” Judge Mindy Glazer told a police officer during a Friday hearing, as reported by WPLG. “I don’t know if the officers in Miami Beach are busy handling a lot of complicated crime scenes, but I have a gentleman who’s never been arrested, with no prior arrests. His attorney says he’s competed in the Olympics and is obviously a professional athlete. It’s unfortunate that it got to this position.”
Miami Police Defend Actions in Fred Kerley’s Case
Miami Beach police spokesperson Christopher Bess defended the officers’ actions, telling USA Today, “Our officers reverted back to training. Our officer was battered, and they responded to the resistance appropriately and professionally.”
Fred Kerley’s Arrest Follows a Similar Incident Involving Tyreek Hill
The incident follows another high-profile arrest involving Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Miami-Dade police officers. In that case, Hill was pulled over, placed in handcuffs, and arrested. One of the officers involved was subsequently placed on administrative duties.
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