Newly released body camera footage captures a protester at a demonstration during the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown's death shoving a Missouri police officer to the ground last week, critically injuring the officer.
Ferguson Police Officer Travis Brown suffered a life-threatening brain injury when his head struck the pavement when he was responding to protesters trying to pull down a fence outside police headquarters Friday night, KSDK-TV reports. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, and he remains in a coma.
In the video, which shows two angles of the incident, the suspect—identified as Elijah Gantt, 28—is seen charging at Brown before tackling and sending Brown to the sidewalk. Brown's head slams against the ground, and he loses consciousness with Gannt on his chest.
“If you look at the video, the officer is standing up, waiting to catch this guy,” said Chief Troy Doyle at a press conference. “This guy tackled my guy like he’s a football player.”
Gantt, who was already charged with assault, faced a new assault charge for allegedly kicking another officer in the head, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said.
Gantt was charged with two assault counts for his attack on Brown, as well as for allegedly kicking another officer in the head. Two other officers were injured during the protest, but they have returned to work.
“If you haven’t condemned this act, if you haven’t condemned what happened to my officer, then you are part of the problem,” said Doyle, aiming his comments at protest organizers.
“Now we have an officer who is fighting for his life and I have to ask: For what?” added St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell.
