In a disturbing video released on June, 7, McKinney, TX police officer, CPL. Eric Casebolt, can be seen pulling his gun on several unarmed juveniles. According to a video released by Get News Police stated, “’the initial call came in as a disturbance involving multiple juveniles at the location, who do not live in the area or have permission to be there, refusing to leave. McKinney police received several calls related to this incident advising that juveniles were now actively fighting. First responding officers encountered a large crowd that refused to comply with police commands.’”

Casebolt has been put on administrative leave pending investigation of the incident. McKinney Mayor, Brian Loughmiller, said in a written statement published by The Dallas Morning News, “I am disturbed and concerned by the incident and actions depicted in the video. Our expectations as a City Council is that our police department and other departments will act professionally and with appropriate restraint relative to the situation they are faced with.”

The original video was posted on June 7 and has received well over one million views. A second video, shown in a Fox4 news release shows the original fight which initiated the calls for police response.

Throughout the incident, Casebolt can be heard and seen frantically running from one teen to another yelling profanities and forcing them to the ground. The pivotal moment is when he begins to force a young girl to the ground and finds himself nearly surrounded by juveniles trying to intervene. Although none of the juveniles touch Casebolt, and you can obviously see in the video they are unarmed, within seconds Casebolt pulls his gun and two young men flee. Two other officers pursue the two teens on foot, and return with one in handcuffs.

The big question is did the officer use excessive force? At one point in the original video, Casebolt can be seen and heard speaking to two juvenile males sitting in the grass. He asks, “Let me explain something to ya’ll again. I personally told you to get on the ground and stay didn’t I?” One of the young men responds, “You did sir.” Casebolt responds, “You became a part of the mob. You could have been the guys that were doing right and you weren’t. So, now you’re sitting here in trouble.” The young men explain they were just doing what the rest of their friends were doing, but with this open acknowledgment of direct disobedience to an officers orders does Casebolt have a foot to stand on in justifying his actions?

With so many recent events involving so-called police brutality what are your thoughts about the actions of CPL. Eric Casebolt? Do you think he used excessive force or was he just trying to subdue what was reported as a violent situation?

What should Casebolt and the other cops have done differently?

Additional Image: Heavy

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