US Olympic superstar Fred Kerley arrested and hit with police stun gun in Miami
US athletics superstar Fred Kerley has been arrested and charged with battery in a dramatic and violent altercation with Miami police on Thursday night and the early hours of Friday morning (local time).
Things escalated when the Olympic medal-winning sprinter was walking to his car and approached an active police scene.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: US track star Fred Kerley forcefully arrested.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Kerley, 29, was speaking with officers at 11.22pm on Thursday near 100 9th street “about his vehicle parked nearby” when his “demeanor became increasingly aggressive”, according to a statement by Miami Beach police.
After Kerley was “asked to leave the area,” he refused and “assumed a fighting stance,” police continued. When officers tried to arrest Kerley, he allegedly resisted and “a dart-firing stun gun was effectively deployed”, police said.
In seven and a half minutes of body-camera video released by police, Kerley is seen in a grey hoodie standing next to a police vehicle talking to officers. It’s unclear what is being said as there’s no audio in the first 30 seconds of video.
The person wearing the camera approaches Kerley and places their hand on Kerley’s chest and then his wrist, touching off the scuffle.
At least four officers appear to struggle with Kerley as they try to restrain him with force, including landing punches to his ribs, footage showed.
Finally, one of the officers pulls out a stun gun with a distinctive yellow handle and fires into Kerley’s back, bringing him down instantly.
“I’m not resisting, I got handcuffs on!” Kerley said.
Throughout the video, he accused officers of wrongdoing and told them they’d be going to jail, while members of the public watched on, some filming, some yelling at the police to stop.
Kerley didn’t obviously or immediately identify himself as an Olympic sprinter. But at one point he told arresting officers: “Bro, get off my legs, I need my f****** legs.”
Kerley was booked into custody on suspicion of battery of a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. He was released on his on recognisance.
Kerley won silver in the 100m sprint at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics before following it up with bronze in the same race in Paris last year.
A representative for Kerley could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
