Bloody Arrest Of College Student From Chicago Prompts Investigation In Virginia
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The governor of Virginia has ordered a state investigation of possible police brutality, after a University of Virginia student from Chicago was bloodied during an arrest earlier this week.
Video posted online showed blood streaming down Martese Johnson's face as a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control officer held him on the ground and handcuffed him outside an Irish bar in Charlottesville around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.
It's unclear exactly what happened before the arrest, but investigators said ABC officers approached Johnson after bouncers turned him away from the bar. In a YouTube video of the arrest from the UVA student newspaper Cavalier Daily, bystanders can be heard shouting at officers "his head is bleeding," and Johnson can be heard screaming "I go to UVA, you f****** racist!" as officers handcuff him.
The UVA junior, who had no criminal record until his arrest on Wednesday, had blood streaming down his face as he shouted at officers "how did this happen, you f****** racist?"
Johnson was charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice.
A student group said Johnson needed 10 stiches for the cuts to his head.
The Chicago Tribune reports Johnson, 20, was an honors student at Kenwood Academy High School on the South Side, and graduated in 2012.
The principal of Kenwood told the Tribune Johnson is a "great, wonderful, brilliant leader," and "the epitome of the kind of student you want to graduate from your school."
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Wednesday night, hundreds of UVA students protested in Charlotttesville to show support for Johnson.
At the rally, Johnson personally addressed the crowd.
"Regardless of your personal opinions and the way you feel about subjects ... please respect everyone here," he said. "We are one community. We deserve to respect each other, especially in times like this."
University of Virginia president Teresa Sullivan asked Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe for an independent investigation.
"I felt it in my stomach. Just seeing the blood run down that young man's face, I wanted to know what happened," Sullivan said.
McAuliffe has ordered Virginia State Police to investigate whether ABC officers used excessive force.
Johnson was due to appear in court on March 26.
***WARNING: Video below contains graphic images and profanity***
