A viral video of New York City police officers drawing their guns on a teenager in a subway station is drawing criticism online, including from presidential candidate Julián Castro.
According to a report by the E.W. Scripps National Desk, the video was shared by blogger Elad Nehorai. It shows officers tackling Adrian, 19, in a Brooklyn subway station after he allegedly did not pay his $2.75 fare. In the video, he has his hands raised, and about ten more officers arrive and handcuff him. Nehorai said officers drew their guns even though dozens of bystanders were on the train and platform.
The NYPD said in a statement that Adrian was arrested for theft of service for not paying the fare. Police also said that before the incident they received reports that he was carrying a gun in Brooklyn, and that he ran into the subway station where the video begins. Officers told reporters they were concerned he might be armed. No weapons charge was reported.
Castro wrote on Twitter that officers should work to de escalate rather than put dozens of lives at risk over $2.75. Many other social media users also criticized the police response. The Civilian Complaint Review Board, the independent agency that investigates complaints about NYPD officers, contacted Nehorai and said an investigator would be in touch, according to the report.
The video also landed in the middle of a larger debate about fare evasion enforcement. Gothamist reported that the city plans to hire 500 more transit officers, who would not be part of the NYPD and would not be required to wear body cameras. Vice reported that NYPD officers have been involved in several fatal shootings this year.
Adrian has been charged only with theft of service, and the NYPD says its officers were responding to a report of a man with a gun.
