Arkansas Trooper Caught On Camera Dragging Black Man By Locs
Arkansas Trooper Caught On Camera Punching And Dragging Black Man By His Locs
Authorities in Arkansas, are investigating the brutal arrest of Tedrick Washington, who was dragged out of a vehicle by his dreadlocks at the hands of a state trooper, following a high speed chase.
Dashcam video shows trooper violently arresting Tedrick Washington, pulling him from car by dreadlocks
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Source: KATVchannel7 / KATVchannel7
Authorities in Blytheville, Arkansas, are investigating the brutal arrest of 24-year-old Tedrick Washington, who was dragged out of a vehicle by his dreadlocks at the hands of a state trooper. Washington was in the back seat of an SUV involved in a high-speed chase with officials before the incident happened.
What happened during the arrest of Tedrick Washington?
Dashcam video of the arrest, released by the Arkansas State Police on Sept. 1, captured the intense moment. The footage shows officers chasing down a black SUV with Washington and three other men inside during the Aug.19 incident, which occurred at 11 p.m., according to KARK. After crashing into the vehicle, which reportedly reached 140 MPH, one of the troopers, identified as Teddy Henderson, according to WREG, busted open a back window and began demanding that Washington to step out of the vehicle.
“Crawl out the car! Crawl out the car!” he shouted at the Blytheville resident.
Washington struggled to open the door, telling the trooper he couldn’t, although the door on his other side appeared to be wide open, with another state trooper screaming for him to exit the vehicle.
Tension escalated when Henderson grabbed Washington by his dreadlocks, attempting to pull him through the broken window filled with sharp glass edges. He then punched the 24-year-old in the face with a closed fist, before tugging at his hair with force again, eventually pulling Washington out of the door.
Later on the video, Washington could be seen struggling to make sense of the arrest while in handcuffs, blood dripping down his back and face.
“Ya’ll jacked me up gang!” he shouted at the troopers.
Read more about Tedrick Washington’s arrest on the next page.
Washington, the driver of the vehicle, and another suspect were taken into custody.
Washington and the driver of the vehicle, identified as Adonerus Johnson, 25, of Blytheville, were taken into custody, according to police records obtained by WREG. Johnson was taken into custody following what police described as a physical confrontation with officers. The passenger riding in the front seat was also detained at the scene but was later let go without facing any charges, per the Arkansas State Police report.
According to investigators, Johnson’s blood alcohol content measured 0.17 — more than double the legal threshold. He now faces a string of additional driving-related charges including speeding, reckless driving, fleeing, driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, unauthorized use of another person’s property, failing to wear a seatbelt, running a red light, and passing improperly on the right.
Washington has been charged with obstructing governmental operations and resisting arrest.
Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan says the arrest is under “active review.”
Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan addressed the situation in a Facebook post on Aug. 31, expressing concern over the footage and noting that state officials are conducting an “active review.”
“The City of Blytheville is profoundly aware of and disturbed by the video circulating publicly depicting an incident involving Arkansas State Police Trooper. The footage is troubling, and we fully understand the pain, anger, and concern it continues to provoke within our community,” the Mayor’s message read in part.
“While Blytheville Police Department officers were present on the scene, our officers were not directly involved in the events depicted on video. The matter is currently under active review by state authorities.”
Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar also released a statement responding to the case, seemingly in support of Henderson’s actions.
“We will not comment on specific incidents involving use of force with active criminal and civil cases pending,” his message read in part. “I want to say, however, that any use of force by an ASP Trooper is a regrettable last resort and reviewed carefully.”
Hager added, “Troopers operate in an environment where anxiety and uncertainty are extreme. They accept that as part of the job they chose. They deserve to have their actions evaluated based on the complete circumstances they faced. Not solely on the most dramatic moments of the encounter. All uses of force are driven by two common denominators — unlawful activity and noncompliance. Take those two factors out of the equation, and there will be no incidents for us to explain or debate.”
