Disturbing footage of a police incident in Washington, D.C., began to go viral on Monday afternoon after a bystander posted three consecutive videos showing a male police officer holding a woman by her arms, her feet dangling in the air.
The Twitter user who posted the footage, @MacAndCheeks, said in a series of follow-up tweets that the incident occurred at 7th and T Street, directly across the street from the theater at Howard University. The incident took place Monday afternoon.
So this just happened. I'm TIRED. he literally hopped out and did this immediately to her. No CONVO. Dawg. WTF pic.twitter.com/tf1HpF78up
— Pull up & eat some cereal with me (@MacAndCheeks) August 15, 2016
Now they giving her her textbooks back. Ask ME if I have a plastic bag for her. "Baby girl you got a bag" BITCH WTF pic.twitter.com/Mwx2TryEJN
— Pull up & eat some cereal with me (@MacAndCheeks) August 15, 2016
THEY ARE NOT EVEN ARRESTING HER FOR ANYTHING. WHY DAWG WHYYYYYY pic.twitter.com/ry6tIlPyJa
— Pull up & eat some cereal with me (@MacAndCheeks) August 15, 2016
In the first video, the officer that is holding the woman—now identified by @MacAndCheeks as Shandon, age 32—can be heard asking her age and then dropping her to the ground after she answers. The female also appeared to say that she had just gotten off work.
This is Shadon, 32. Lady assaulted by DCpolice in video I recorded. I met her formally. She wants to thank you ALL. pic.twitter.com/cD0vkZLJAx
— Pull up & eat some cereal with me (@MacAndCheeks) August 16, 2016
The Daily Dot reached out to the bystander who shot the footage and was told a letter is being drafted to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, which will be shared with the Daily Dot. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Shortly after 6pm ET, the D.C. MPD tweeted a short response saying the video was being investigated.
MPD has been made aware of this video and contacted their commanding officer. We'll investigate this matter. @LyricalVenom @MacAndCheeks
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) August 15, 2016
According to the bystander, the woman was not arrested and the stop appeared to be arbitrary, with police returning her textbooks and allowing her to proceed to a bus stop before driving away.
Update 8:50am CT, August 16: In an older version of this story, Shandon was identified as a young, possibly underage woman, but the bystander reports she is 32.