Upstate NY Officer On Leave Following Use Of Force Incident In Walmart

An upstate New York police officer was placed on administrative leave after body camera footage showed him punching a woman in the neck.

Police officers responded to a call of several people fighting and someone using pepper spray on July 4 at an East Syracuse Walmart. The video, posted by the DeWitt Police Department, shows footage taken from multiple officer’s body cams, store surveillance footage, and also bystander video. It shows a very chaotic scene. 

The officer in the video, identified as Rory Spain, detained Tyreana Edmonds. Once placed in handcuffs, the situation escalated. While Spain was trying to lead her away, Edmonds attempted to bite the officer. The officer punched her in the neck hard enough to knock her over. Witnesses to the incident can be heard yelling at the officers.

Edmonds was charged with second-degree attempted assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, and multiple other charges. Tajenik Byrd, Edmonds’ sister, is also facing numerous charges stemming from the incident. Both of the women were released on appearance tickets. 

Spain is on paid leave while the use of force incident is under investigation.