Fort Worth police, city leaders probe alleged excessive use of force after woman's arrest video goes viral
FORT WORTH – Fort Worth police and city leaders are investigating an officer's alleged use of force against a YouTuber after a video she took during own arrest went viral.
Carolyn Rodriguez, whose YouTube page features dozens of interactions with police officers, was arrested and hospitalized Sunday after filming police at the scene of a car crash.
The hit-and-run crash happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Foch Street in the popular West 7th District, according to the Fort Worth Police Department. A suspected drunk driver crashed into another vehicle and a building before running from the scene.
Police say Rodriguez approached officers with her camera as they were investigating the crash. According to Rodriguez's YouTube page, she records officers to raise awareness about what she calls "the out-of-control criminal justice system."
In her video from early Sunday, which has over 78,000 views, an officer can be heard telling Rodriguez multiple times to go to the other side of the street or she will be arrested. Rodriguez asked the officer why she had to move, and was then arrested.
The video feed kept streaming on YouTube for just over 30 seconds. The camera shook and then went black. An officer can be heard saying "stop resisting," then there is a rustling sound. The officer says "stop resisting" again, and a few seconds later another voice says "she's bleeding." The video ends with what sounds like someone snoring.
Rodriguez was treated at a hospital for her injuries and was later arrested on multiple charges, including resisting arrest and evading arrest. A black eye is clearly visible in her mug shot.
Fort Worth City Councilmember Chris Nettles told CBS News Texas that he and all the other council members have heard from the public about the incident.
Nettles called the incident "alarming," and wants police to release body cam video. He said from what he can see, Rodriguez's video "was not in the same vein that we received the report from the Fort Worth Police Department."
"I think it's important to calm the city down by releasing that footage," he said.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker called an executive session of the city council to meet on Friday to address the incident.
Police Chief Neil Noakes said the department should have an update on the case on Wednesday.