A news helicopter caught deputies arresting and then beating a man after a chase on horseback in Apple Valley, California.
The strange pursuit began Thursday afternoon, when authorities say a search warrant was served at a home in the area. The suspect fled in a vehicle, ditched the car several miles away, and then stole a horse, injuring the animal as they rode through rugged terrain. When deputies caught up to the suspect — identified as Francis Jared Pusok, 30, of Apple Valley — he was thrown off the horse and hit with a Taser. Authorities say the Taser did not work because of his loose clothes, and a use of force occurred.
NBC Los Angeles' NewsChopper 4 was covering the chase, and was able to record the arrest and subsequent use of force as it happened. The station estimates that Pusok was kicked 17 times, punched 37 times, and hit with batons four times in the two minutes after he was hit with the Taser. The video does not appear to show Pusok receiving medical treatment, and he is now hospitalized with unknown injuries. Three deputies also received medical attention — two for dehydration, and one for injuries sustained after being kicked by the horse.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon has ordered an immediate internal investigation. "I can certainly understand the concerns in the community based on what they saw on the video," he told NBC Los Angeles. "I'm disturbed by what I see in the video. But I don't need to jump to conclusions at this point, until we do a complete and throughout investigation. If our deputy sheriffs did something wrong, they'll be put off work and they'll be dealt with appropriately, all in accordance with the law as well as our department policy."
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
