There were at least two incidents during Saturday's Florida-Georgia game in which police officers appeared to hit fans watching the game.
A video that appeared to show one of the officers firing a hammer fist into the back of a Florida State fan's head went viral. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office released body camera footage from that incident and another incident.
In “Incident 1,” two police officers approach a fan (later identified as Walter Brown) in the back row of Everbank Stadium, and Brown says the fan is “assaulting” him and trying to “kidnap” his children. It states that
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A full view of the Florida-Georgia sign before the start of the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators at Everbank Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Shortly after the officers asked Brown to leave, Brown reportedly told the woman, “Either kill the officer or don't leave.”
“Officer Kelly” then pulls out a stun gun and “Officer Bowers” tries to talk to Brown, who refuses to leave.
Brown then told Bowers, “You're going to win.” [his] Kelly then approaches Brown and tries to grab his arm, but Brown says, “Don't touch me, n—–.” Moments later, Kelly fired a stun gun.
Bowers attempts to subdue Brown but fails. Brown then allegedly slurred at Kelly at least four more times before Bowers fired the stun gun.
(James Gilbert/Getty Images)
The footage shows Kelly pushing and punching the suspect as Brown tries to remove the wire from the stun gun, and Bowers attempting to handcuff Brown. Brown appeared to say he was “trying to get rich,'' as onlookers said the police officer would lose his job.
Warning: NSFW language
The department also provided cellphone video of Brown trying to reach for Kelly's gun but unable to holster it.
Later in the game, in what officials called “Incident 2,” three police officers are seen responding to a fan who was deemed unruly by others in attendance. . Three fans begged to stay after being sent off. “Sergeant Beasley” then grabbed one of the fans in question, and a scuffle broke out between the fans and the officers.
One of the officers appeared to repeatedly slam a hammer fist into the back of Fan's head, a moment that went viral online. The department has not released the officer's body camera footage.
Warning: NSFW language
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Despite the violence, Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters said the officers were “within policy.”
“Yes, there was a use of force,” Waters said Tuesday afternoon. at a press conference. “And yes, that power is always ugly… [It] That doesn't mean it was illegal or against policy. ”
Mr Waters also said the cellphone footage was “deliberately misleading” in order to “promote anti-police objectives”. He also said that 35 people were ejected from the match and a total of eight people were arrested, including the four suspects mentioned above.
A fan accompanies before the start of the Florida vs. Georgia game at Everbank Stadium on Nov. 2, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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Florida was tied at 20 points in the fourth quarter Sunday, but the Bulldogs scored 14 unanswered points for the win.
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