A video circulating online shows a police officer in Chester, Pennsylvania punching a woman in the face during a confrontation. The police department says the incident is under investigation.
Police said a group tried to get into a house party on the 900 block of East 15th Street, an area home to Widener University students, families and longtime residents. According to investigators, one member of the group, Jaylene, attacked a resident after the group was turned away, then allegedly attacked another resident who tried to remove her. Police said the residents locked the group out, and the group then kicked in the front door and attacked several people inside.
When officers arrived, police said a woman identified as Dominique struck a police sergeant. The officer, who appeared to be holding a stun gun in the video, then punched her. Witnesses told investigators the woman hit the officer first.
Dominique’s sister told NBC10 that Dominique made a mistake but is not a bad person, and asked that the investigation be allowed to finish.
Four people, including Dominique and Jaylene, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault and alcohol related offenses. A Widener University spokesperson said none of those arrested were students, the incident did not happen on campus and the party was not a university event.
Chester Police Chief James Nolan said in a statement, “The incident, the video, and level of force used in connection with the event are all currently under investigation.”
The charges are allegations, and the investigation into the officer’s actions is ongoing.
