A video of a Mississippi Highway Patrol officer detaining three Black men in McComb has gone viral on social media, with some calling for action against the officer due to his conduct.
On Friday, one of the men on the scene, Packer Lewis, recorded an incident he and his brothers had with the officer during a traffic stop. In the video, the officer is shown pulling Lewis’ brother, Eugene, across the street by the neck before forcing him to the ground. Packer and his other brother at the scene, Darius, can also be heard alerting the officer that they are recording the encounter.
Warning: The following video contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
According to Packer Lewis, Eugene was pulled over after allegedly speeding and was arrested for an expired driver’s license. Authorities have neither confirmed nor denied the reason for the traffic stop.
“The Mississippi Department of Public Safety was made aware of an incident involving a Mississippi Highway Patrolman conducting an arrest on a subject in McComb, MS,” said Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. “This incident is being reviewed internally by the Department of Public Safety. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is also conducting an inquiry. No further comment will be made at this time.”
The brothers were released from jail Friday night with the exception of Packer, who was detained until Sunday for his previous criminal record. Packer is currently facing eight charges from the traffic stop, including obstruction of justice.
