Handcuffed man punched by LAPD cop mid-arrest over apparent parking drama
LOS ANGELES - Days after a Los Angeles police officer was filmed punching a man during an arrest, the LAPD has released extended body camera footage showing a different angle of the incident in South Los Angeles.
The confrontation occurred Sunday, July 28, when officers approached Alexander Donta Mitchell for double parking near the intersection of East 113th Street and Graham Avenue in the Watts neighborhood. The newly released body cam footage shows Mitchell repeatedly insisting, "I'm not on probation or parole," while struggling with the officers. One officer can be heard saying, "You are resisting." Several bystanders recorded the incident, adding to the public scrutiny.
Mitchell's attorney defended his client today, stating, "His reactions were not a resistance, but rather one of wonder and stupefaction, trying to understand why these officers are harassing him and profiling him."
Mitchell was released from police custody with a misdemeanor citation. The officer involved has been removed from street duty pending an investigation by the department's Use of Force Division.
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The incident gained widespread attention after a bystander’s video went viral, showing Mitchell shouting, "What did I do, though?" as two LAPD officers attempted to handcuff him. During the handcuffing process, one officer punched Mitchell in the right jaw, eliciting loud jeers from witnesses.
"Thank God there were people there on the sidelines filming," said Mitchell’s mother, An’tneal Harris, at a press conference outside LAPD Headquarters on Tuesday. "I could have been here planning for a funeral. Something has to be done. It has to stop. It has to be stopped. To see my only child handcuffed and punched in the face while he was complying. I have a problem with that."
Mitchell, joined by his attorney, family members, and local civil rights leaders, did not speak publicly. They are demanding that the unnamed officer who threw the punch be criminally charged and prosecuted. Community activist Najee Ali emphasized Mitchell's restraint during the incident, stating, "When you see the video, you will see when he got punched in the mouth, he’s the one who shows restraint. He was the only one to try and deescalate the situation."
Attorney Brad Gage claims that more than one punch was thrown by the officer, which was not shown in the video. He stated that Mitchell was treated at the hospital for a broken nose and jaw injury following the incident. Mitchell’s attorney has indicated plans to take legal action against the LAPD after filing a government complaint.