Three Arkansas police officers have been suspended following the release of a video of the violent arrest of a man in the town of Mulberry, various American media report.
In footage filmed by a witness, the three law enforcement officers can be seen beating a suspect on the ground.
***The images contained in this article may shock.
The incident took place outside a business on Sunday morning.
According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, police were called around 10 a.m. to a man who allegedly made terrorist threats to employees. The suspect even allegedly spat in the face of an employee to whom he allegedly threatened to “cut his face off”.
The individual then left, before being arrested a little further by the police. While the discussion seemed calm at first, the suspect allegedly began physically attacking one of the officers. He pushed him to the ground and punched him in the back of the head, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
It is this aggression which would be at the origin of the altercation which circulated on social networks.
In this video, one of the police officers is seen delivering several punches to the head of the suspect. Meanwhile, another officer delivers several knee strikes to the lower body.
Arkansas police have opened an investigation into the arrest. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for its part indicated that the three police officers involved were suspended while the light is shed on this event.
The suspect’s condition and identity have not been released. However, the man was taken into custody and taken to hospital. He faces charges including terrorism threat, resisting arrest and aggravated assault.