Ala. police filmed pulling student from apartment, using Taser

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Internal affairs investigators with the Tuscaloosa Police Department are looking into videos that surfaced Sunday that appear to show a student being pulled from his apartment by police officers who used a Taser on the man before possibly striking him.

Three police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is being investigated, announced Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson during a press conference Monday. Anderson said he is "deeply disappointed" in how his officers handled the incident.

In the videos, which were recorded early Sunday morning, an officer can be seen standing at the door of a student's apartment, just off campus, at first arguing with several people.

The officer, who was responding to a noise complaint according to the Tuscaloosa Police Department, was denied entry to the apartment, and a student who was asked to leave the residence can be heard on video refusing to do so.

THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

"I respect your authority, but you're not allowed in my apartment," the student says.

"You're not respecting my authority," the officer says. "Can you please step out of the apartment and we will talk to you."

"Absolutely not."

As other people can be heard yelling about legal representation and warrants, the police officer can be seen grabbing the student -- who those in the video refer to as "Brandon" -- by the shirt. Tuscaloosa police confirmed that 21-year-old Brandon James Williford was arrested Sunday at the apartment complex and charged with obstructing governmental operations, harassment and resisting arrest.

"You're under arrest for harassment for touching my arm," the officer says.

The officer then shoves another student away before coming all the way into the apartment, followed by several other officers.

In multiple videos that surfaced on social media Sunday, officers can be seen using a Taser on Williford and one appears to strike him with a nightstick several times.

A man and a woman -- Matthew Gimlin Macia and Caroline Elizabeth Giddis -- were also arrested in the incident. Both 22-year-olds were charged with obstructing governmental operations; Macia was also charged resisting arrest; Giddis was also charged with harassment.

The videos were shared thousands of times Sunday, and by that night, the City of Tuscaloosa announced in a tweet that the incident was under investigation.

The officer who was involved in the initial confrontation, as well the ones filmed using a Taser and a baton, were placed on administrative leave Monday. Police have not released the officers' names.

The responding officer was wearing a body camera, reports CBS affiliate WHNT. Anderson said during the press conference Monday that the footage will be released to the public.

"We'll be open, honest, and as transparent as possible. We take this very seriously," Anderson said. "I take it very personally. I've put a lot of effort over 21 years and a lot of other people have put a lot of effort in building the great reputation for the Tuscaloosa Police Department in our community. And I don't want to see that reputation destroyed by a careless or senseless act."

Peter Pajor, a photographer who graduated from the University of Alabama in May and was among those who shared the videos on Sunday, said in an email that tension between police in Tuscaloosa and students isn't new. He noted that the school's student association held a panel in 2014 to advise students of their rights when confronted by police -- in particular after going to a bar, and during traffic stops.

"The general vibe is that often the Tuscaloosa police don't have a whole lot going on so they unfairly focus on students doing minor things wrong," said Pajor, who added that an officer responding to a noise complaint once "walked right in to my apartment without knocking or asking permission."

A spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa Police Department on Monday declined requests for arrest reports and more details surrounding the incident, citing the internal affairs investigation.

The University of Alabama said in a statement Monday that three campus police officers were among those who responded to the scene after a Tuscaloosa police officer requested emergency assistance.

"We are aware of the incident and we remain very concerned about the welfare of all students who were there, especially those who were arrested," the university said in its statement. "We have reached out to provide support to them, and will continue to provide services they need."

The University of Alabama is also conducting its own investigation into the campus police who were at the scene, "to verify they acted appropriately."