LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Police are asking for anyone who witnessed an incident that occurred Saturday at Fayette Mall between a juvenile and two officers to come forward.
The initial incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, February 2 near the H&M store at Fayette Mall. Two officers working an off-duty assignment were asked by mall security to investigate a group of teenagers.
Police say that a 16-year-old in the group was non-compliant with an officer’s request and a physical altercation ensued.
“The juvenile struck and injured the officer in the face, and punches were exchanged while both were on the ground. A second officer assisted in handcuffing the 16-year-old. The juvenile was charged with two counts of Assault 3rd, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct 2nd, and Criminal Mischief 3rd. He was released to his mother,” reads a press release.
The father of that boy posted a video of the altercation on Facebook, claiming an officer punched his son, who has autism, three times.
Police say that video shows a “limited part of the altercation was posted to social media, however it does not include the entirety of what happened.”
A rally took place Tuesday outside the Fayette County courthouse in regards to the incident.
Police are asking for people who either shot video of the altercation or witnessed the fight to come forward because one of the officers involved in the incident works in a primarily administrative role and was not assigned a body-worn camera.
The other officer did have a body-worn camera, however, it did not record. The police department is reviewing the cause of why it did not record and will address that issue accordingly.
“As with all use of force incidents, the department is reviewing what happened. We continue to receive information from witnesses, and are encouraging anyone else who may have witnessed the incident, has video or pictures from the scene, or has other pertinent information, to contact the Lexington Police Department by calling 859-258-3600,” reads a release from the department.
