A police officer in California is accused of punching an autistic teen after he believed the teen was a suspect in a crime.
In a video posted to Facebook by Adam Wolf, the father of the 17-year-old boy, police officers can be seen responding to a residence and assaulting the teen, who was identified by his father as Preston.
In the Facebook post, Wolf detailed the events of April 21 when an officer with the Vacaville (Calif.) Police Department was captured on a Ring video camera punching his son.
While speaking with KTXL in California, Wolf explained that another boy tried to pick a fight with his son at a nearby creek, prompting the response from police.
“My son picked up a piece of metal or a metal pole off of the ground to defend himself, and I was told that an older gentleman intervened,” Wolf told KTXL. “The police responded to what they were told and this is what they tell me was a report of a stabbing.”
In the Facebook post, Wolf wrote, “To All my Friends and Family, I need your help. Some of you know and some of you don’t, but my 17 year year old son, Preston, has Autism and ADHD…On April 21st at approximately 2:30 pm Preston was Aggressively approached by a Vacaville, California police officer.”
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As the video begins, the officer can be seen on top of the teen and tells him to put his hands behind his back. The officer can then be seen throwing a punch at the teen, who is laying on the ground. The teen can be heard saying that the officer “punched” him “in the f****** head.”
The officer is still on top of the teen as the video continues and at one point the officer can be heard saying, “you’re gonna get hurt. Don’t make me hurt you more. Don’t make me hurt you more.”
Several other officers arrive to the scene and one can be heard repeatedly telling the teen to turn around.
In the Facebook post, Wolf said that his son became “fearful” of the officers “as would any child with Autism.”
“At this point, Preston was confused and afraid and moves away from the officer even more. At that point the officer felt it was a good idea to THROW Preston to the ground. Once on the ground, the officer climbed on top of Preston and PUNCHED him in the face,” Wolf wrote in the post. “I don’t believe that Preston will ever trust a police officer again. I am pro police, but I am not pro ABUSE!”
According to KTXL, the video was captured on Josh Bartholomew’s Ring video camera, and while speaking with the local news station, Bartholomew said that he alerted officers that the teen had special needs.
“The officer at that time had the opportunity to de-escalate the situation, and he chose to escalate the situation in a manner that resulted in Preston, in my opinion, being assaulted,” he told KTXL.
In a statement sent to KTXL, Vacaville Police Department Acting Chief Ian Schmutzler said, “We understand the video posted on social media can appear very disturbing. When we receive a 911 call involving an assault with a deadly weapon and potential stabbing, we respond immediately to ensure we keep those in the vicinity safe.”
“Our officer had a clear description of the suspect and the minor who was arrested fit this description. Following the arrest, the family explained their son as a special needs individual. This was not known to our officer; his responsibility was to find and apprehend the suspect to prevent further injury,” the statement added.
Newsweek reached out to the Vacaville Police Department for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
According to KTXL, Wolf has not been told if the officer seen in the video will face any repercussions, but he concluded his Facebook post by writing, “This individual and department must be held accountable for their actions. NO child, disability or not, deserves to be treated like this.”
Newsweek reached out to Wolf for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
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