This browser does not support the Video element.
WASHINGTON - D.C. Police say they are conducting an internal investigation to determine if the appropriate amount of force was used during a weekend arrest in the northeast.
THE AUDIO IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO GRAPHIC LANGUAGE. THE BELOW EMBEDDED VIDEO IS UNCENSORED AND CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Police say the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Saturday on 15th Street. According to a police report, officers say they attempted to stop a man they observed drinking from a cup and holding an open bottle of alcohol. Officers say that as the man fled them on foot he threw a handgun under car which they say they later recovered.
Authorities say the man was arrested and faces numerous charges including assault on a police officer while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of an open container of alcohol.
Video of the incident was posted on social media and shows the arrest being made. Several officers can be seen responding to the call. At one point in the video one officer can be seen punching the suspect twice when he was on the ground.
D.C. Police released the following statement:
"On Saturday, May 19, 2018, at approximately 6:33 pm, in close proximity to a recreation center, officers of the Fifth District were attempting to apprehend the subject who was in possession of a loaded semi-automatic firearm. As the officers were affecting the arrest, the subject continued to actively resist. The incident has been turned over to our Internal Affairs Division to determine if the appropriate level of force was used."
The investigation is continuing at this time.
THE AUDIO IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO GRAPHIC LANGUAGE. THE BELOW EMBEDDED VIDEO IS UNCENSORED AND CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.