Man tased by NYPD while walking to store demands answers
Last week, 34-year-old Lavell Stewart was tased by NYPD officers while walking to the store. Now, Stewart and supporters are demanding answers.
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Last week, 34-year-old Lavell Stewart was tased by NYPD officers while walking to the store. Now, Stewart and supporters are demanding answers.
Tuesday marked the first time that Stewart has addressed the public since being released from the hospital due to injuries he suffered as a result of an interaction with two officers.
Stewart recalled the moment outside of the NYPD’s 40th Precinct.
“I’m hurt very bad by the lack of professionalism of these police officers, when I was just coming to the store on my day off work,” said Stewart.
Two officers were caught on video throwing punches at Stewart after asking him what was in his shopping bag. Stewart begins to resist, and an officer responds by pulling out a Taser, visibly tasing Stewart beneath the belt and causing him to need hospital care for the injury.
Stewart was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration.
The Rev. Kevin McCall says these charges are inappropriate and the whole situation went too far.
“You charged him with assault. The video, the pictures of the truth, doesn’t show no assault,” said McCall. “You charged him with disorderly conduct, where was he disorderly? Who was disorderly was the police officers.”
The NYPD says that the incident between Stewart and those two officers is now under internal review.
