Incident in Fargo Leads to Viral Video
A new viral moment has emerged from Fargo, North Dakota, where a mobile video captured three police officers trying to arrest a man in downtown. The event took place around 4:35 PM on Saturday in the 200 block of Roberts Street North, following reports of suspicious behavior, according to KVRR-TV. It seems the man was seen smoking.
The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Joseph Manitwabi, resisted arrest and punched all three officers before fleeing. After a brief pursuit, authorities managed to apprehend him. According to KFGO, Manitwabi is facing multiple charges, including three counts of assaulting a police officer and possession of drug-related paraphernalia.
Currently, Manitwabi is being held at the Cass County Jail with a $25,000 bail, though he does not have a permanent address. His criminal record includes charges like disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.
The incident has sparked intense public debate, especially around the police officers’ handling of the situation. Some social media users criticized their actions, with comments such as, “These cops never live this…,” and questioning their strength.
- “Police officers need to be tougher than these three!” one user remarked.
- “Seriously? They should have combat training!” another chimed in.
- Others pointed out the seemingly inadequate grappling skills of the officers involved.
Jay Thomas, a local radio host, voiced his observations regarding the video, suggesting it made the officers look untrained and somewhat ineffective. He expressed disbelief at what he saw, likening the situation to a “Keystone Cop” incident.
Responding to the criticism, Fargo Police Chief David Ziborsky shared that there is body cam footage of the incident and explained that the officers did manage to cuff Manitwabi’s left wrist before he attacked. He noted that Manitwabi displayed extraordinary strength during the altercation, citing his experience as a former boxer.
While Ziborsky emphasized the need for the public to consider the full context of the situation, he acknowledged the demand for accountability and respect towards law enforcement. He mentioned that the complete body cam video will be released soon.
