Alleged Police Brutality Caught On Tape In Long Beach
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — An excessive force investigation was underway Wednesday after a confrontation between Long Beach police officers and a man was caught on tape.
The incident occurred Monday evening at the intersection of Locust Avenue and South Street, the Long Beach Police Department said.
The video, which has been posted on YouTube, shows several officers surrounding 46-year-old Porfirio Santos-Lopez, who was on the ground, KNX 1070's Jon Baird reported.
Alleged Police Brutality Caught On Tape In Long Beach
At least one officer was seen using his baton to strike Santos-Lopez while another used a Taser on him.
Prior to the alleged beating, security camera footage shows the suspect fighting with two other men and refusing to comply with officers' demands.
"During this time when he kicked one of the officers, he kicked the baton out of their hand. When they went to try and go grab a hold of him again, he again kicked one of the officers in the head," Sgt. Aaron Eaton said. "Eventually, at some point, the officers were able to grab a hold of him and try to get him to roll over. He was still refusing commands."
Police say Santos-Lopez was under the influence of alcohol and may have been high on meth at the time of his arrest. He underwent surgery at Long Beach Memorial Hospital for injuries sustained in the confrontation.
"They broke two bones in his right arm. They collapsed his lung on the left side. He has two cuts on his right leg, a cut on his left, a cut on his head," Santos-Lopez' wife, Lee Ann Hernandez, said.
None of the officers involved in the incident have been placed on leave.
Authorities are encouraging additional witnesses to come forward to help with their investigation.
Santos-Lopez' family has hired an attorney to look into the incident.
"They need to be reprimanded for what they did," Hernandez said.
No charges have been filed against Santos-Lopez.
