The bodycam footage from two police officers has been released, showing a black man in North Carolina being handcuffed and punched by police officers for sitting on the front porch of his own mother’s house, where he continues to stay often.
(Warning the footage contains strong language).
The incident started when two police officers say they were called to a home because a man was seen walking around with a shovel. When they arrived, Dejuan Yourse was calmly sitting on the porch of his childhood home, waiting for his mother to arrive. He had picked up a shovel out of the yard. Yourse produced an ID for the officers that had his address and even offered to prove he grew up in the home by introducing them to the neighbors.
After the two officers continually questioned him, Yourse eventually attempted to call someone to tell them that the police were harassing him. Officer Travis Cole then grabbed the phone, and punched Yourse. He then handcuffed Yourse and continued to hit him.
Yourse was arrested and charged with several crimes, though they were later dropped.
This week, the local city council voted to permanently suspend officer Travis Cole after viewing the disturbing video. Cole had already resigned so that criminal charges against him would be dropped.
Yesterday, the other officer involved in the arrest also resigned. The incident is still being reviewed, and local activist are calling for more punishment for the two officers, and for the police department to tell the public why it took so long for action to take place.
Cole had actually been promoted two weeks after the incident and after Yourse complained.
