Incident In Austin Leads to Controversial Police Conduct
A video from Austin, Texas, appears to show a police officer throwing a punch at a man, who is then seen lying face down on the ground moments later.
This footage is part of a report by KXAN-TV, which stated that the police department received two videos capturing the “crowd control” incident that occurred on Sixth Avenue Friday night.
“This behavior is unacceptable and indefensible,” an official commented on the situation.
In one of the videos, an officer in a blue shirt is seen pushing a bystander wearing an orange shirt. Another officer in black appears to throw a punch, after which the man in the orange shirt falls to the ground. He is described as wearing blue jeans and a backwards white cap.
The video shared by the department only provides a single angle of the incident and lacks audio. However, an additional video circulating on social media shows a frontal view of the punch, capturing the crowd’s chaotic reaction as the man remains motionless on the ground.
But the city witnessed more incidents involving police that night. KXAN reported on another video it received that allegedly depicts an officer on top of an individual, repeatedly punching him.
According to KVUE-TV, both videos of this incident came from bystanders at the scene. They show the officer allegedly delivering multiple punches. Another officer is also seen holding down another individual while appearing to strike him as well.
In a different video regarding the second incident, it becomes apparent that the man, again wearing an orange shirt, blue jeans, and a backwards white cap, is slammed hard onto his back, while one officer watches from the sidelines.
Officer Identified Amid Ongoing Investigation
KVUE has revealed more about the incidents, citing documents from the Travis County District Court. Officer Leger of the Austin police was reportedly responding to a radio call concerning a “physical altercation” outside the Voodoo Room nightclub when things escalated. Alongside another officer, Leger arrived to break up a brawl between two men. Allegedly, when he was punched from behind, he executed a controlled takedown maneuver on one of the aggressors. Court records indicate that Officer Leger then responded by punching the man multiple times.
As tensions rose, a crowd formed, throwing objects and pushing against the officers involved. The individual accused of attacking Officer Leger, 19-year-old Johnny Acuña Jacobo, faced multiple charges and was arrested. He was booked at the Travis County Jail with a bail set at $10,000 and was noted to remain incarcerated until an ankle monitor is installed.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis expressed concern over the footage, stating she shares the community’s worries and has placed the officer involved on restricted duty pending a thorough investigation.
Following this incident, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson released a statement highlighting the unacceptable nature of the officer’s behavior and assured the public that appropriate action would be taken, possibly leading to termination.
Acuña-Jacobo’s mother, Maria Delgado, shared her emotional turmoil with KXAN, explaining her feelings of fatigue and helplessness upon seeing the footage of her son being assaulted.
In the aftermath, the police department has not clarified which officers have been placed on restricted duty for each incident.
