In a troubling incident that has sparked outrage, two police officers have been suspended without pay after a video emerged showing them forcefully pushing a 75-year-old man to the ground during a protest. The victim, identified as Martin Gugino, is currently hospitalized in serious but stable condition following the altercation.
On June 6, Erie County District Attorney Sarah Daniels announced that officers Jake Thompson and Ryan Carter have been charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony, given the victim’s age. Both officers have entered not guilty pleas and could face up to seven years in prison. “The law is clear,” Daniels stated. “Assaulting a person aged 65 or older is a felony if the assailant is at least ten years younger.”
The incident unfolded in Niagara Square, Buffalo, where Gugino approached the officers during an anti-police brutality demonstration. The officers can be heard shouting commands as Thompson shoved Gugino, who subsequently fell and struck his head on the pavement, bleeding from his ear. Disturbingly, many officers walked past him without offering assistance, despite a voice in the background urging for medical help.
Initially, police claimed that Gugino “tripped and fell,” but after the video gained traction on social media, Buffalo Police Commissioner Lisa Green confirmed the suspension of the officers involved. Mayor John Thompson expressed his distress over the incident, emphasizing the need for an investigation to address racial injustice and community relations.
Buffalo police spokesperson Lt. Mark Rivers noted that Gugino suffered a serious head injury, possibly a concussion, while Erie County Executive Laura Reed described the injuries as significant. As further fallout from the incident, the entire Emergency Response Team resigned in protest after the suspension of Thompson and Carter.
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In summary, this incident highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct during protests and raises questions about accountability and community safety. The ramifications for the officers involved are significant, reflecting a larger conversation about law enforcement practices in the U.S.
Keyphrase: police conduct during protests
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