Two police officers have been suspended without pay after a disturbing video surfaced showing them forcefully pushing a 75-year-old man to the ground, causing him to bleed.
Update, 2:15 p.m. ET, June 6
Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe, the officers involved, have been charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony. Both have pleaded not guilty. The severity of the charges is influenced by the age of the victim, Martin Grayson, who is 75 years old, with each officer facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. According to Erie County District Attorney John Flynn, “It’s clear-cut according to the law. If the victim is 65 or older and the perpetrator is at least 10 years younger, it constitutes a felony.”
In a surprising turn of events, following the suspension of Torgalski and McCabe, all 57 members of the Emergency Response Team unit resigned on Friday and requested reassignment within the department, as reported by NPR.
Original Story
The incident occurred in Buffalo, where a graphic video showed the two officers pushing an elderly man to the ground during an anti-police brutality demonstration. The victim is currently hospitalized in serious but stable condition after suffering injuries, including a head laceration and a possible concussion.
A spokesperson from the Buffalo Police Department confirmed the officers’ suspension. The video, captured by local NPR affiliate WBFO, shows the elderly man approaching officers during the protest when he was suddenly shoved by Torgalski, while McCabe brandished his baton at him. The man fell hard, hitting his head on the pavement and lying motionless, bleeding from his ear. Shockingly, numerous officers walked past him without stopping to offer assistance, even as a voice in the background urged for a medic.
Initially, the Buffalo police claimed that the man “tripped and fell.” However, following the video’s widespread circulation, Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood announced the suspension of the two officers. Martin Grayson was later taken to the hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition, according to a statement from Buffalo Mayor Tom Hayes.
Mayor Hayes expressed his deep concern over the incident, stating, “After observing the video, I was deeply disturbed, as was Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood. An investigation was launched immediately.” The mayor emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to address racial injustice and equity within the city.
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In summary, the incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding police conduct during protests and the treatment of vulnerable individuals. The legal repercussions for the officers involved further emphasize the serious nature of their actions during a time of heightened scrutiny on law enforcement practices.