Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy force used during arrest at zoo
MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) offered information on Tuesday, Oct. 24 related to use of force applied during an arrest that was made at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Sunday. FOX6 News spoke with the family involved.
MCSO account
A news release says around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, deputies were dispatched to the entrance of the Milwaukee County Zoo for a reported fight in progress. No fight was apparent when deputies arrived. However, a short time later, zoo security personnel spotted four people they believed had been involved in the fight near the pedestrian gate, apparently awaiting a ride from the zoo.
Officials say when deputies approached the vehicle with the subjects, the driver, a 25-year-old woman, and multiple passengers became argumentative, refused to identify themselves, and refused to exit the vehicle. The news release says the driver was removed from the vehicle by deputies – and when another deputy approached
the rear driver side door, one of the passengers, a 17-year-old girl, was highly agitated and continued to be uncooperative.
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MCSO officials say a review of squad and body camera video shows when the deputy opened the door, the 17-year-old exited the rear passenger driver’s side of the vehicle, stood up, and immediately shoved the deputy with both hands then proceeded to swing her arms with closed fists. The deputy directed her to the ground to gain control and try to affect an arrest. Officials says 17-year-old continued kicking at the deputy and swinging her arms, striking him in the face with a closed fist while he was trying to get her into custody. The deputy used force by applying three targeted focused strikes to stop her resistance enough to apply handcuffs and take her into custody.
A news release says MCSO is aware of a mobile phone video circulating on social media that shows the deputy applying targeted strikes against the 17-year-old passenger. Officials say the brief phone video does not show what is depicted clearly on squad car video and body camera video – the "preemptive" assault on the arresting deputy by this passenger, as she exited the vehicle.
The family's side
Family members of those involved in this incident tell FOX6 News there was confusion over what was happening when they arrived to pick up the teens from the zoo. They refused to give their names.
Family members say the 17-year-old was trying to protect her sister, who was the driver. They also say the force was excessive.
The family told FOX6 News the teen told deputies she did not need to go to the hospital.
Arrested
The teen was arrested on a recommended charge of felony "Battery to Law Enforcement Officer" and two other misdemeanor charges of Disorderly Conduct and Resisting and Obstructing an Officer.
The driver was taken into custody on a recommended "resisting/obstructing" charge.
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MCSO officials say they will have no further comment on or reaction to this incident while it remains under standard internal use of force review protocols – and while the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office reviews the incident for charging.