A shocking video showing a white police officer in McKinney, Texas, pulling his gun on a group of black teens at a suburban pool party Friday has viewers around the country asking how a seasoned cop can overreact so badly.
Yes, you can be pro-cop and think the McKinney officer’s behavior as caught on tape was uncalled for.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) June 7, 2015
The video shows the officer, who has been identified as Cpl. Eric Casebolt, according to The Washington Post, attempting to subdue a teenager by throwing her to the ground and pulling her hair.
As several other teens approached Casebolt, he let the teenager go and stepped toward them. When the teens back up and turn to flee, Casebolt pulled his gun and continued his approach until two other officers intervene.
One Twitter user with the handle @Xmukexziamx posted a video she captured at the scene. In the video others can be heard yelling “Film it!” to encourage her, as she describes how the officer also struck her in the face.
She shouted, “That’s abuse!” and mentioned her freedom of speech before an officer asked her to move away.
RT #craigranch #RETWEET pic.twitter.com/TUcJZbrKBG — lohanthony 10/26 (@Xmukexziamx) June 6, 2015
.@Xmukexziamx The girl in this video is RIGHT, she HAS Freedom of Speech! I’m proud of her. #McKinney
— Str8Grandmother (@Str8Grandmother) June 8, 2015
According to a police statement posted on the McKinney Police Department’s Facebook page, the police were summoned to the Craig Ranch North community pool due to a “disturbance involving multiple juveniles at the location, who do not live in the area or have permission to be there, refusing to leave.”
“A fight between a mom and a girl broke out and when the cops showed up everyone ran, including the people who didn’t do anything,” Brandon Brooks, who uploaded the video to YouTube, wrote in the description.
“So the cops just started putting everyone on the ground and in handcuffs for no reason. This kind of force is uncalled for especially on children and innocent bystanders.”
At least one homeowner appreciated the officers’ efforts in the community, “keeping us safe,” recognizing the proper behavior of all except one rogue cop.
One #McKinneyTX resident visibly and vocally supporting the officers, says he saw whole thing Friday. pic.twitter.com/19nd1xXfiT — Lauren Zakalik (@wfaalauren) June 7, 2015
Casebolt was described as a 10-year veteran of the police department, and a onetime instructor at Executive Self-Defense and Fitness, The Washington Post reported. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, according to news reports.
The web links describing Casebolt’s past and training are now disappearing as this story gains national media attention.
In last hr or so, Executive Self-Defense & Fitness Training has removed Corp. Eric Casebolt’s bio from their website. pic.twitter.com/Ij7h46W2Do — TC (@tchopstl) June 7, 2015
@RayDowns @SugarcubeDog Looks like they were taken by surprise and are now trying to erase his digital presence. — TC (@tchopstl) June 7, 2015
@tchopstl @capeannsky Thought it looked too familiar. They all think they’re Rambo. — Tom Huff (@THuff7) June 7, 2015
@tchopstl no matter how much he deletes,he can’t hide from that video. What a fascist. — NitrateLight (@NitrateLight) June 8, 2015
The party was a planned end-of-school celebration, teens told Buzzfeed, which was promoted on social media.
The pool party was advertised on social media. Homeowners say none of the nearly 70 people were allowed to be there pic.twitter.com/pZZy9htEK3 — Zahid Arab (@ZahidArabFox4) June 7, 2015
“I think a bunch of white parents were angry that a bunch of black kids who don’t live in the neighborhood were in the pool,” Brooks, who is white, told Buzzfeed.
“Everyone who was getting put on the ground was black, Mexican, Arabic,” he said. The cop “didn’t even look at me. It was kind of like I was invisible.”
Others online reacted to Loesch’s tweet.
@DLoesch That’s called true tolerance Dana. Not the lefts strong suit. — wingandaprayer (@midgetmustang) June 7, 2015
The #McKinney cop was in the wrong. Cops should diffuse situations.. He forcibly escalated it by grabbing the girl. https://t.co/YoYIwxDOL2 — Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) June 8, 2015
#McKinney, Texas cop who got suspended. Where does this idiot think she’s hiding a weapon? pic.twitter.com/uE0JhdM9RW — Philip Schuyler (@FiveRights) June 8, 2015
@FiveRights When are cops going to quit making mental mistakes. This doesn’t abode well for their organization. They have my support but man — Mickey (@3Stepping) June 8, 2015
@FiveRights She could be a skilled MMA fighter. It’s all fun and games ’til she has the cop in a rear naked chokehold. — Common Censor (@Common_Censor) June 8, 2015
CORRECTION: This post originally stated the incident took place Sunday. It was Friday.
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