Photo: Getty Images
A violent arrest by two Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies caught on camera resulted in the loss of a Black man's right eye and other injuries, a Southern California family says, per Fox 11.
Video of the brutal arrest in Inglewood shows the man, identified by police as Blake Anderson, being tackled by two LASD deputies, who at one point put him in a choke hold, put a gun to his head, and bang his head into the concrete, as witnesses beg the officers to stop.
However, LASD officials said deputies used force as they were attempting to arrest Anderson, who they claimed was armed, on charges of a felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a (loaded) concealed firearm, and assault on a peace officer with a firearm.
According to LASD, Anderson was treated at a hospital for minor injuries he suffered from the arrest and was later cleared for booking. Officials also said the alleged suspect had a previous "traumatic injury" from a separate incident unrelated to the use of force seen in the video.
Anderson’s sister, Bailey, believes her brother is a victim and not a suspect, saying he was "brutally assaulted" on the family's GoFundMe page.
Bailey Anderson said her brother was at work as a security guard at Luxor Hookah Lounge when deputies "got out of their vehicle and proceeded to ambush him with no probable cause." One of the LASD deputies "repeatedly struck him in the head with his firearm, punched him in the face, pressed his gun into the back of his head, continuously slammed his head into the concrete, and stomped on his head. All while his partner held Blake down," Bailey said of her brother's encounter with police.
According to the family, Blake Anderson suffered numerous injuries in the attack including a dislocated shoulder, hematomas around his head, and loss of eyesight for which doctors said he will need a prosthetic eye.
Bailey added that her brother is a family man who is expecting a baby girl with his longtime girlfriend in less than a month.
The department is seeking additional witnesses to the arrest. Anyone who witnessed the arrest is asked to call LASD’s South LA Sheriff’s Station at 323-820-6700.
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The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
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