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Injuries to Teenager During Protest Arrest Are Under Investigation Injuries to Teenager During Protest Arrest Are Under Investigation
(about 2 hours later)
The pictures on a flier posted online showed a 16-year-old boy in a hospital gown with a long, bloody laceration from his cheek to his chin.The pictures on a flier posted online showed a 16-year-old boy in a hospital gown with a long, bloody laceration from his cheek to his chin.
The police handling of the Bronx teenager, Jahmel Leach, who was bruised and shocked with a stun gun during the unrest following George Floyd’s death is now under investigation, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The police handling of the Bronx teenager, Jahmel Leach, who was bruised and shocked with a stun gun during the unrest following George Floyd’s death, is now under investigation, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. And the case has become the most recent focus for critics who charge that the New York police have used unnecessary force against some people during the protests.
The police and Jahmel’s family have given different accounts of why officers used a stun gun on him, and what led to his injuries. His family said he was doing nothing wrong and was beaten by officers in addition to being needlessly shocked. The police and Jahmel’s representatives have given differing accounts of what happened just before 9 p.m. on June 1 at Marion Avenue and East Fordham Road.
A police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, said surveillance video captured Jahmel attempting to light rubbish ablaze at least five times at Marion Avenue and East Fordham Road shortly before 9 p.m. on June 1. A second official said Jahmel was using some kind of liquid to try to start the fire. A police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, said surveillance video captured Jahmel attempting to set fire to rubbish at least five times. A second official said Jahmel was using some kind of liquid to try to start the fire.
The video shows uniformed officers arriving, and one of them firing a Taser at Jahmel, who immediately collapsed, his face striking the pavement, according to the first official. The officers then handcuffed him, took him to a precinct station house and then to a hospital shortly afterward, the official said. Jahmel was charged with arson as a juvenile. The video shows uniformed officers arriving, and one of them firing a Taser at Jahmel, who immediately collapsed, his face striking the pavement, according to the first official. The officers handcuffed him, took him to a precinct station house and then to a hospital shortly afterward, the official said. Jahmel was charged with arson as a juvenile.
For the moment, Jahmel’s case has become the most recent focus for critics who charge the New York police have used unnecessary force against some people during the protests against police brutality. But during a news conference Thursday afternoon outside the Bronx’s District Attorney’s office, the Rev. Kevin McCall, speaking on Jahmel’s behalf, said that he was not involved in criminal activity when the officers confronted him.
One action likely to be reviewed is the use of the Taser. The department’s policy for electrical weapons like Tasers says they “should only be used against persons who are actively resisting, exhibiting active aggression or to prevent individuals from physically injuring themselves or other person(s) actually present.” The policy also discourages officers from using them on children, or in the presence of combustible gases or flammable liquids. “He didn’t break the law at all,” Mr. McCall said. “He was an innocent bystander, watching protesters and he gets assaulted.”
Jahmel has not spoken publicly about his arrest but was expected to appear at a news conference Thursday afternoon. Aishah Miller, 38, a cousin of the teenager, said Jahmel has told family members he was part of a peaceful protest when the police pounced on him. Jahmel, who did not speak, appeared in a white T-shirt that read “Justice for Jahmel Leach” and peeled off a black mask to show reporters the still-visible scars on the right side his face. Among others present were his lawyers, Mark David Shirian and Sanford A. Rubenstein, who is well known for taking on the police department; and Jahmel’s mother, Daisy Acevedo.
“He was only 16 years old,” Ms. Miller said. “He was with friends. He got separated when police picked him up and beat him badly. He still can’t talk.” “This has to stop,” Ms. Acevedo said. “I demand justice. I will go to my grave until I get it.”
Yamil Miller, another cousin, said that even if the allegations against the teenager prove true, “the way he was handled was unacceptable.” During his daily press briefing Thursday morning, the mayor said that the New York Police Department had launched an internal investigation into Mr. Leach’s arrest. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a city agency that investigates complaints of misconduct by officers, are also investigating the arrest.
“No one who comes into custody of the N.Y.P.D. should look like they’ve been to Baghdad,” he said. Mr. de Blasio said that he had personally met with the teenager and that he was troubled over the allegation of abuse.
During his daily press briefing Thursday morning, the mayor said that the New York Police Department had launched an internal investigation into Mr. Leach’s arrest.
Mr. de Blasio said he personally met with the teenager and was troubled over the allegation of abuse.
“I met the young man, I met his family,” he said. “I’m very concerned.”“I met the young man, I met his family,” he said. “I’m very concerned.”
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a city agency that investigates complaints of misconduct by officers, are also investigating the arrest. One action likely to be reviewed is the use of the Taser. The department’s policy for electrical weapons like Tasers states they “should only be used against persons who are actively resisting, exhibiting active aggression or to prevent individuals from physically injuring themselves or other person(s) actually present.” The policy also discourages officers from using them on children, or in the presence of combustible gases or flammable liquids.
An attorney for Jahmel, Mark David Shirian, said he believed the police mistook Jahmel for an adult because of his large physique; he is over 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds. Mr. Shirian also demanded an outside agency conduct the investigation. Mr. Shirian, the attorney, said he believed the police mistook Jahmel for an adult because of his large physique; he is over 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds. Mr. Shirian also demanded an outside agency conduct the investigation.
“We can’t tolerate this sort of conduct toward children,” Mr. Shirian said. “This is unacceptable. The investigation should be done by an independent, third party.”“We can’t tolerate this sort of conduct toward children,” Mr. Shirian said. “This is unacceptable. The investigation should be done by an independent, third party.”
On Wednesday night the schools chancellor, Richard A. Carranza, also took to Twitter to echo his concerns over the treatment of Jahmel, whom he identified as a public high school student.On Wednesday night the schools chancellor, Richard A. Carranza, also took to Twitter to echo his concerns over the treatment of Jahmel, whom he identified as a public high school student.
“Earlier this month, @NYCSchools student Jahmel Leach sustained significant injuries — an injured jaw, and cuts, bruises, and swelling all over his body — allegedly in an incident with the NYPD,” Mr. Carranza shared on Twitter. “I am horrified. I know @NYPDNews is now investigating.”“Earlier this month, @NYCSchools student Jahmel Leach sustained significant injuries — an injured jaw, and cuts, bruises, and swelling all over his body — allegedly in an incident with the NYPD,” Mr. Carranza shared on Twitter. “I am horrified. I know @NYPDNews is now investigating.”
In a message under another post on Twitter, Mr. Carranza said that Mr. Leach and his family have the full support of the school system.In a message under another post on Twitter, Mr. Carranza said that Mr. Leach and his family have the full support of the school system.
“I need to say as loudly and clearly as possible: there is no place for violence against our students," he said. “Period.”“I need to say as loudly and clearly as possible: there is no place for violence against our students," he said. “Period.”
Michael Gold contributed reporting.Michael Gold contributed reporting.