Colorado violent arrest reignites anger over policing

AURORA, Colorado－A video showing a police officer pistol-whipping and choking a black man during an arrest in a Denver suburb has reignited anger over policing in the community, with activists decrying what they said is the latest example in the mistreatment of people of color.

Aurora officer John Haubert was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault and felony menacing charges after officers responded to a trespassing report on Friday where they found Kyle Vinson, who is biracial and identifies as black.

Reid Elkus, Haubert's lawyer, has vowed to "zealously defend" him. Another officer is accused of not intervening to try to stop Haubert.

Body camera footage shows Haubert holding his pistol to Vinson's head, striking him with it, choking him and threatening to shoot him.

"You're killing me," cried Vinson as he was gasping for air. The video showed Haubert holding him down.

Police chief Vanessa Wilson called Vinson's case an "anomaly" on Tuesday and asked the public not to paint the department "with a broad brush".

Siddhartha Rathod, Vinson's lawyer, said the city has a long history of failing to discipline its officers for misconduct. Rathod's law firm also represents Elijah McClain's mother in a lawsuit against Aurora. McClain died during a forceful police detention in 2019.

Rathod praised Wilson for trying to change the department, but blamed Mayor Mike Coffman for not denouncing what happened or apologizing to Vinson.

In a tweet, Coffman said he did not think it was appropriate for him to comment until the investigation is complete.

"The time has come for a leader who will stand up for communities of color and stand against police violence," Rathod said.

Race seen as factor

Based on his experience, Rathod believed race played a role in how Vinson was treated by police.

"Both our clients appear to have been treated with hatred and disdain in part because of the color of their skin," he said.

Rathod said the criminal justice system treated Vinson, who faced an arrest warrant for a probation violation, more harshly than the officer accused of beating him. Vinson's bond was not set until Wednesday, requiring him to remain in jail as he waited, while Haubert was able to turn himself into authorities and be released quickly.

The video footage angered activists on Wednesday. They want to bring attention to a police department plagued by allegations of misconduct in recent years, including the death of McClain.

In August 2019, McClain was walking down a street in the city east of Denver when he was stopped by police after a 911 call reporting a suspicious man. The 23-year-old black man was wrestled to the ground and injected with 500 milligrams of ketamine by paramedics. He died less than a week later.

Agencies Via Xinhua