Black Woman Thrown to the Ground: LA County Sheriff Launches Investigation into Disturbing Bodycam Video

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced on Wednesday that his department is conducting an internal affairs investigation into an incident that took place on June 24 outside a WinCo Foods grocery store in Lancaster, California. The investigation was launched after body camera footage and a bystander's video surfaced, showing a sheriff's deputy forcefully slamming a woman to the ground during a confrontation related to an alleged robbery.

According to Sheriff Luna, the incident unfolded after the sheriff's department received a call from a store employee reporting an assault on loss prevention employees by two customers. Upon arrival at the scene, deputies approached a man matching the description provided by store security personnel. As they attempted to detain the individuals, the situation escalated, resulting in the use of force captured on camera.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Promises Accountability in Use of Force Investigation

Sheriff Luna expressed his deep concern upon reviewing both the body camera footage and the bystander's video, deeming the images "disturbing." According to ABC, the ongoing investigation will involve interviews with witnesses and a comprehensive review of additional video evidence, including body camera footage, cell phone recordings, and surveillance videos from the store.

In a statement released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, it was emphasized that the incident is being thoroughly investigated and that personnel involved will be held accountable if they are found to have violated the department's training standards. The department also shared the body camera footage with the public as an act of transparency.

The body camera video reveals two deputies approaching a man and a woman, both of whom are Black, outside the grocery store. The situation quickly escalated, with the man questioning his arrest and the woman objecting to being touched. The confrontation intensified when one deputy ordered the woman to get on the ground and threatened to punch her if she did not comply. The woman asserted that she would sue if touched, after which she was thrown to the ground and subsequently pepper-sprayed by the deputy. Throughout the incident, the woman expressed difficulty breathing, and the man mentioned that she had cancer.

Following the incident, the male suspect was arrested and cited for resisting or delaying an officer, attempted petty theft, and interfering with the business. The female suspect was arrested and cited for assaulting an officer and battery after allegedly assaulting loss prevention personnel inside the store. She received medical treatment for eye pain and arm abrasions at a local hospital.

Citizen Video Spurs Internal Affairs Investigation into Sheriff's Deputy's Actions

The identities of the individuals involved, as well as the deputies, have not been disclosed. The deputies have been reassigned from field duty pending an administrative review to determine the reasonableness and appropriateness of the force used.

In response to the released video, community members and advocates plan to hold a protest outside the WinCo grocery store in Lancaster. The group organizing the protest, Cancel the Contract Antelope Valley, is calling for the cancellation of the city of Lancaster's contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the reallocation of those funds to communities of color. They aim to address the concerns of Black residents who express fear and frustration with the police.

As the investigation continues, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department remains committed to ensuring that all members of the public are treated with dignity and respect by its personnel. The incident has sparked a renewed debate over the appropriate use of force by law enforcement officers and the need for comprehensive reform to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.