MYNORTHWEST NEWS

SPD officer placed on leave after video shows him rolling bike over protester’s neck

Sep 24, 2020, 8:40 AM | Updated: Sep 25, 2020, 6:48 am

consent decree, police, bicycle...

Police wait as demonstrators occupy an intersection nearby during protests in Seattle. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

A Seattle police officer has been placed on administrative leave pending a potential criminal investigation by the King County Sheriff’s Office, after video from a Wednesday night protest showed a police officer rolling a bicycle over a man’s neck as he laid on the ground.

The Office of Police Accountability (OPA) called for the criminal investigation early Thursday afternoon, after SPD’s Force Investigation Team for identified “potential violations of SPD policy, as well as potential criminal conduct” upon its own review of video footage.

It happened in the former CHOP zone near Capitol Hill’s East Precinct, during protests over a recent decision by a Kentucky grand jury to indict one of three officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor for wanton endangerment.

The lawyer for the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Benjamin Crump, commented on the video Thursday, describing it as “more acts of excessive force and brutality from those who should be focused on protecting our citizens.”

The person shooting the video says there were about 60 officers and 300 protesters at the scene. Several bike officers in the video move forward, and one appears to run both of the wheels of his bicycle directly over a man laying prone.

The organization Rise Up identified the person on the ground as “Trumpet Man.” Rise Up says the officer wheeled the bike over his windpipe, then arrested him.

The organization also noted that “Trumpet Man” became a prominent member of the Seattle and Portland protest scenes by playing the trumpet at marches dating back to early June.

The Seattle Police Department said early Thursday it was made aware of the video. The SPD made a total of 13 arrests Wednesday for a range of charges, including property destruction, resisting arrest, failure to disperse, and assault on an officer.

MyNorthwest News

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

59 minutes ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

2 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

3 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

4 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

7 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

8 hours ago

SPD officer placed on leave after video shows him rolling bike over protester’s neck