Video shows apparent beating of teens by Kenosha officers, chief says videos don't tell the whole story
KENOSHA (WITI) -- Video posted to social media led to a demonstration outside the Kenosha Police Department on Tuesday, May 26th. Some say the video shows two teens being beaten by Kenosha police officers at Lincoln Park on Memorial Day. But Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey says the two videos he's seen don't tell the whole story.
One of the videos being shared online Tuesday after it was posted to Facebook was sent to FOX6 News by a woman who said she is a relative of two teenagers she says can be seen in the video. She claims the video shows the teenagers being beaten. Police dispute that claim, saying those seen being arrested in the video were two adults.
"It was a bad judgement from some cops," Carey Norris, who organized the protest Tuesday said.
On Tuesday evening, a group gathered in protest -- calling on the Kenosha Police Department to fire those involved.
"My heart sank. My heart sank," Latasha Hogan said. "If that's the kind of law enforcement that Kenosha is allowing to come through their ranks, it makes me feel unsafe."
Hogan says her two sons, ages 15 and 16 were playing at Lincoln Park on Memorial Day with dozens of other kids. Her boys were approached by two Kenosha police officers, who allegedly questioned the teens about a garbage can that had been knocked over.
"He wanted them to pick up a garbage can that he did not knock over," Hogan said.
Police say one teen became disorderly.
"Because he refused, he was arrested for disorderly conduct," Hogan said.
Friends say there was some sort of physical altercation when an officer tried to place handcuffs on one of the teens.
"There were three cops on one kid and five cops on the other kid," Norris said.
While family members claim it is their loved ones in the video, police say the video actually shows two adults who became physical with police after the teens were arrested. Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey says an adult female "jumped" on an officer. A man and a woman were arrested.
"He punched about 10 times. You can see the cop on the left, he punched about 15 times," Norris said.
After the video began circulating online, the recording prompted about 30 Kenosha residents to call for action. A demonstration was held Tuesday evening near the Kenosha Police Department.
"They gotta be fired," Norris said.
"I hope my son never has to deal with that kind of law enforcement ever again," Hogan said.
Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey tells FOX6 News in a statement the Kenosha Police Department is looking into concerns raised by the videos.
Morrissey says the 44-second video doesn't show the entire incident.
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