White officers brutally attacked a Black Applebee’s customer in a near-deadly case of mistaken identity.
The terrifying experience took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last month. Authorities were investigating a hit-and-run crash that took place near the restaurant on July 20th. When they entered Applebee’s, an employee reportedly told them that there were “suspicious people” inside the location who might’ve been the ones who caused the wreck, WRAL News reports. The people they were referring to was a woman and a Black man holding an infant. The officers quickly rushed the table and tried to snatch the child from the man before forcing him to the ground and punching him. Ironically enough, the actual suspects from the crash were in the bathroom.
The unidentified Black man pleaded with the deputies to let him go, arguing that he’d done nothing wrong. Jennifer Harris, the manager who was present when the police arrived, defended the officers, claiming that the innocent man was not complying.
“The guy didn’t want to comply. He had his baby in his arms. The officers kept telling him he’s not under arrest, but he’s detained and needed to answer this question. He was trying to say he needed to change his son’s diaper. He tried to go the other way, they tackled him into a wall, and the baby hit its head on the wall,” Harris explained.
Even after the actual suspects were found and arrested for the hit-and-run, the innocent man was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting and obstructing an officer. The woman he was dining with was also arrested on the same charges along with marijuana possession, despite her not being involved.
Video of the incident shows the officer punching the man, which has prompted an investigation.
