A Georgia police officer was placed on administrative leave after he was captured picking up a man and slamming him to the ground inside a Walmart.
The incident unfolded when police received a report of a man causing a disturbance inside the Walmart in Lovejoy, Ga. — about 20 miles outside Atlanta — at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Lovejoy Police Chief Steve Wright told Fox 5 Atlanta.
The 20-second distressing clip showed the officer holding the man’s arms behind his back in the electronics section, exchanging words briefly before grabbing him around the chest, hoisting him into the air and slamming him to the ground.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was then rushed to a nearby hospital and will not be facing any charges, Wright told the outlet.
It remains unclear what condition the man was in after being taken to the hospital.
A witness told Fox 5 Atlanta that the officer shocked everyone who watched the incident unfold.
“The officer just lifted him up, and to everyone’s surprise, BAM! Slammed him to the ground, and you could hear the impact to the floor,” the witness, identified only as Ms. DeeDee, said.
“I thought he was dead, everybody thought he died, clocked out,” she said, adding that she believes the cop should be fired over his use of force.
On Sunday, the Lovejoy Police Department said that the officer was placed on administrative leave “pending investigation.”
“The City of Lovejoy Police Department is aware of a video circulating on social media depicting an incident involving one of its officers at a Walmart location,” officials said. “The video appears to show an officer engaged in a physical encounter with an individual whose hands appear to be positioned behind his back. The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under review.
Officials said that it has started an administrative review of the incident.
“The City of Lovejoy Police Department recognizes the community’s interest in this matter and remains committed to transparency, accountability and public safety.”
The probe will dig into incident reports, witness statements and departmental policies and training, the department said, promising “a fair, objective, and timely review.”
Fluellyn also confirmed that the matter was being investigated.
“We want you to know that we are investigating the incident and will share the results of the investigation,” she wrote. “Transparency resides in Lovejoy!”
Chief Wright told Fox 5 Atlanta he anticipates concluding the internal investigation by the end of the week.
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