Canton police release body camera footage of officer kicking suspect after viral video
By: The Canton Police Department has released body camera footage capturing the events surrounding Officer Brandon Momirov kicking 21-year-old Jaemiier McElroy while he was kneeling on the ground with his hands in the air last weekend.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, police said the incident occurred Saturday night near the Mahoning Manor apartment complex on Morris Avenue NE. Officers were called to the area after someone reported an argument involving 10–15 people, and authorities say "multiple" individuals fled once law enforcement arrived, however others were located and ordered to the ground.
One of those suspects was McElroy, whom the department admits "appeared to be complying" before being kicked. McElroy and two other men were arrested, with police saying two handguns and a backpack containing "a large amount of marijuana" were recovered from the scene. It is not clear just who possessed these items.
A spokesman for the Canton Police Department tells 3News that "Officer Momirov is currently working in a restricted capacity. The incident is under review."
The newly released video is from Momirov's body camera. It shows him running to an area of the complex where several officers are ordering a group of suspects to get on the ground.
He runs toward McElroy, who can be seen on the ground with his hands in the air. After Momirov makes contact, he turns toward the other suspects and says, "you gotta comply."
"Why you hit my brother like that, bro?," one of the men on the ground asks.
"Because he's not complying," Momirov responds.
After the suspects are placed in handcuffs, Momirov is again questioned about why he kicked McElroy.
"How many times did I tell you to get on the ground?," Momirov replies.
"You guys don't want to listen, that's fine," another officer tells the suspects. "Then don't be surprised when we put our hands on you."
McElroy has since been charged with obstruction and resisting arrest, despite authorities saying he was complying with officers' orders.