A truly disturbing video began circulating Thursday (June 4) evening. American citizens have flooded social media as they've called for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to discipline dozens of officers after a video shows that not only did they shove an elderly man to the ground, but they didn't assist him when he appeared to be knocked unconscious. The troubling clip made its way through social media causing outrage and sparking yet another conversation about the use of excessive force by police officers.
A WBFO reporter recorded the incident in Buffalo, New York as officers suited in riot gear approached protesters. Then, a man who is reportedly 75-year-old walks up to them, and one of the officers can be heard yelling at him to move. The man is then pushed, and quickly shoved by an officer identified as Aaron Torgalski. The elderly man falls backward to the ground, landing on his back. When he doesn't move for a few moments, officers linger around as one calls for a medic. Someone tells the officers not to assist, so they stay where they are. No one checks on the man but people begin to shout that he's bleeding from his ears, something that viewers can see in the clip. Then, an officer approaches the journalist recording and tells them to move off of the stairs before the video ends.
The police department issued a statement to WBFO and said, "a 5th person was arrested during a skirmish with other protestors and also charged with disorderly conduct. During that skirmish involving protestors, one person was injured when he tripped & fell." It's unclear who they're referring to when speaking about the fall.
The Buffalo Police Department later released a statement saying that two officers involved in the altercation had been suspended. The victim is reportedly being treated in a hospital and is expected to recover. You can watch the video below at your own discretion and read through a few reactions below.
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