After cellphone and partial dash-cam video surfaced on social media of an arrest involving Prince George County Police, many complained that the officer’s use of force was too excessive. As is all too common these days however, the video only showed part of the struggle and none of the events leading up to the arrest.
“That officer was defending himself,” Prince George County Police Chief Mark Magaw told Fox 5. “He had already been bitten, been kicked. He was trying to subdue a person that had jumped out and was escaping from his car, and it turns out that individual was wanted for an armed robbery.”
Apparently, the 21-year-old Giovanti Moschino Young was a passenger in a car that reeked of marijuana. Police detained the suspects from the vehicle but Young told them that he was injured and was taken to the hospital.
After being released from the hospital he was being transported to jail where he escaped the backseat and attempted to flee.
“He attempts to kick, attempts to strike, spits at the officer several times and then successfully bites the officer at least once,” said deputy chief Hank Stawinski. Eventually the officer was forced to use his stun gun on the suspect.
Officers openly admit they had to use force on Young, but given the circumstances it was completely justified.
