Video posted on social media over the weekend has stirred outrage outside Milwaukee, where a white police officer was filmed punching a black teenager during an arrest.
NATS: "Ooh, why he punching him like that? Aint he a minor?"
Racial tensions are running high in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, after THIS video was posted on social media, showing a white police officer punching an unidentified black teen in the face during an arrest.
The incident happened Friday -- outside Mayfair Mall, about 7 miles west of Milwaukee.
Police say they were responding to a report of a disturbance in the mall involving five individuals.
Upon arrival, police say they found several of the suspects outside and when they tried talking with the man seen in the video, they say he began to fight with the officer.
The 17-year-old was arrested, cited for disorderly conduct, battery and resisting an officer. He was later released.
The incident prompted a protest outside the police department on Saturday by a local Black Panther group.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) KING RICK, MILWAUKEE BLACK PANTHERS, SAYING:
"It doesn't matter if that individual was causing a disturbance in the Mayfair Mall. He did not deserve to be brutally assaulted and punched in his face and knocked to the ground and then placed on his stomach and punched in his face again."
The group says they want the officer fired and the department to undergo diversity training.
But police say the incident is under investigation.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LIEUTENANT JEFF FARINA, WAUWATOSA POLICE DEPARTMENT, SAYING:
"Listen... this happened yesterday, right? You need to give it time. You need to let our department do the investigation. It will be investigated. King Rick, I give you my word, it will be investigated."
Police also say the video only showed a small segment of the interaction, adding that additional video of the incident is also under review.
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