Police officer who filmed Delonte West after brutal attack is suspended for posting video
A COP who recorded the disturbing video of an attack on former NBA player Delonte West has been suspended.
The Prince George’s County police department announced the suspension on Tuesday after learning that the viral video featuring West was filmed by one of their own.
The department told NBC News they’re investigating how the clip managed to make its way onto social media.
In the video taken by a cop, a noticeably thin and heavily tattooed West is seen sitting handcuffed on the curb in Maryland, shirtless in the chilly 36-degree weather.
The 36-year-old appears incoherent and profane as he’s being questioned by an officer.
“Why’d you hit him? Did he attack you first – self-defense – or did you hit him?” an officer is heard asking.
“Walkin’ down the street and he approached me with a gun,” shouts West.
At one point, he suddenly utters: “I’m the real f—ing president, f— Trump!”
A second video shared to social media on Monday shows a man brutally beating and stomping on West in the middle of a busy highway.
“From the NBA to this…Delonte West,” the imprinted caption reads.
Officers responded to calls about a fight in Oxon Hill on Monday morning, the Prince George’s County Police Department said in a statement to NBC.
When they arrived, the two men were no longer brawling but police said one was bleeding from his face while cops cuffed the other man, who they eventually identified as West.
Authorities learned a witness had recorded video of the brawl, during which one of the men cracked the other with a glass bottle and the other responded by hitting back.
The two men knew each other and had gotten into a scuffle earlier that day, cops said.
Both declined to press charges and refused medical attention, and were released after 45 minutes.
Soon after videos of the assault and aftermath circulated around social media, many of West’s former teammates and colleagues showed an outpouring of support and concern.
“I’m sick today my stomach right now seeing the videos of Delonte,” wrote Jameer Nelson, who played with West in college.
“Mental illness is something that a lot of people deal with and don’t even know it, until sometimes it’s too late.
“I’m not sure what exactly is going on with Dwest but he knows I’m in his corner and will help him get through this.”
“Delonte, my man, my teammate. I wish you peace. May the world learn compassion and choose to see you as a human being,” said former NBA player Lance Allred, who was West’s teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“You showed me kindness and I wish the world could see how kind you are. Hang in there. #DelonteWest”
MOST READ IN NEWS
West opened up about his struggles with bipolar disorder and revealed he was taking Seroquel, a drug that treats the illness, in a 2011 profile for SLAM Magazine.
“Sadness is a normal human emotion,” he explained.
“And there’s a mechanism that kicks in and lets you know it’s time to stop being sad.
“With bipolar, that mechanism is out, so you don’t even know when you’re sad.”
The former NBA star was drafted in 2004 and spent seven years in the league.
He played for the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Seattle Supersonics.
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.