A sheriff’s office in Georgia says it has fired a deputy seen on video repeatedly punching a Black man during a traffic stop. The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday the deputy was fired for using excessive force.
It did not identify the deputy.
The sheriff's office also said a criminal investigation has been turned over to the district attorney’s office.
Roderick Walker, 26, was arrested and beaten after Clayton County sheriff’s deputies pulled over the vehicle he was riding in Friday with his girlfriend, their 5-month-old child and his stepson for an alleged broken taillight and asked for his identification, according to his attorney.
Walker is still in custody and faces battery and obstruction charges, according to Atlanta Attorney Shean Williams.
Williams also said Walker and his family had dropped off a rental car and paid someone to take them to their destination. Shortly after, attorneys said Walker and his family were stopped by officers in an unmarked car.
"Mr. Walker wasn't driving the vehicle. He was a passenger and yet, they approached Mr. Walker, demanded he have ID," Williams said. "And when he told them he did not and cooperated with them, they became upset when he inquired."
A video has been released of the incident. Warning: Some may find it disturbing.
Angered by another video of a Black man being brutalized by police, many took to social media to express outrage over the incident.
Walker's attorneys said he has received medical treatment and that X-rays showed he did not sustain any fractures.
A Black Lives Matter protest took place on Sunday outside of the Clayton County Jail, and Williams addressed a crowd in support of justice for Walker.
