Colorado Springs police have released surveillance video showing officers repeatedly punching a U.S. Army veteran during a traffic stop in October, leaving him bloodied and injured.
The incident raised questions about excessive force after 29-year-old Dalvin Gadson was seen covered in his own blood on body cameras after being taken away around 3 a.m. on Oct. 9. Gadson served in the US Army and was honorably discharged. , FOX31 Denver reported.
Police said in a written statement that the officer stopped Gadson for driving approximately 15 mph in a 45 mph zone and that his vehicle had no license plates.
Police said the officer saw a knife in the cup holder between the front seats.
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Officers said Dalvin Gadson was under investigation for DUI.
(Colorado Springs Police Department)
In the video, the officer can be seen asking Gadson for his license, handing it over and returning to his cruiser.
When additional officers arrived, police said the officer returned to Gadson’s vehicle and asked him to get out of the vehicle so they could conduct an intoxication investigation.
When Gadson backed into the car after the officer tried to arrest him, other officers rushed him and began punching him, according to the officer’s body camera video. Officers said they saw a knife in a cup holder between the front seats.
(Colorado Springs Police Department)
Officers can be heard telling Hudson not to reach for anything as he exits the car. Gadson opens the door and swings his legs out, but tells him to stay where he’s sitting.
Gadson’s attorney Harry Daniels told the station, “He’s completely confused, you’re stopping me for a tag, now you’re asking me for a DUI check.”
Bodycam video shows the officers pulling Gadson out of the car, knocking him to the ground and continuing to punch him.
(Colorado Springs Police Department)
When the officer tells a seated Gadson, “you’re going to be arrested in handcuffs,” Gadson replies, “No, I’m not.”
An officer approaches Gadson, who gets into the car.
Officers were seen on body camera punching Gadson repeatedly.
(Colorado Springs Police Department)
In the video, officers can be seen rushing Gadson and punching him repeatedly. Gadson gets out of the car and falls to the pavement. As the officers continue to punch Gadson, they continue to demand that he put his hands behind his back.
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Gadson told the officers, “I didn’t mean to fight you,” “What did I do?” is heard.
The punching lasted about a minute, and video shows an officer at the scene kicking Gadson in the head, FOX31 reports.
Gadson was caught on video asking officers, “What did I do?” can be heard asking.
(Colorado Springs Police Department)
Daniels said Gadson suffered an eye injury, a ruptured eardrum and PTSD from the collision. Photos from the scene showed Gadson bleeding from his face onto the pavement.
While the Colorado Springs Police Department reviewed the case and determined that the use of force was within its policy, police said a separate internal affairs investigation is underway.
“When evaluating officer interactions with citizens, we must consider all the facts,” Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said in a written statement. “We respect the ongoing legal process, but we welcome dialogue with our community if we can talk freely about this case.”