Bodycam footage shows chaotic moments as Lawrence police officers punch, kick man during arrest
LAWRENCE, Ind. — The Lawrence Police Department has released bodycam footage detailing the moments that led up to an altercation between officers and a man they were trying to arrest this week.
An LPD officer responded around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday to a Walmart parking lot near Pendleton Pike after observing a white Ford Explorer, which was being operated by William Jerome Armstrong, parked in the emergency fire lane.
According to previous reports, Lawrence police were filmed punching Armstrong as the altercation turned increasingly aggressive. The video turned viral, amassing over 100,000 views on Facebook.
William Armstrong was released from the Marion County Jail without charges on Thursday.
Court documents stated that Armstrong “aggressively” approached an LPD officer after he pulled behind the parked white Ford Explorer. Officers claimed Armstrong approached with his hands “balled up into a fist.”
Police on scene ordered Armstrong to stay outside his vehicle, writing that they feared Armstrong might try to grab a gun inside the Explorer. LPD later said officers did locate a black AR-style rifle in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, though it wasn’t known to be inside the Explorer when the incident began.
Court documents claimed that Armstrong allegedly refused to turn around and put his hands behind his back as he was “fighting and resisting.”
Police accused Armstrong of punching two officers in the face and throwing one of the officers to the ground.
The bodycam footage begins by showing Officer Roberto Santiago as he pulls his fully marked police vehicle behind Armstrong’s white Ford Explorer.
Armstrong can be seen in the footage standing by the side of the Ford Explorer. However, no “balled-up fists” can be seen.
“Stop walking up on me, matter of fact,” Santiago said.
“Bro, what you mean, ‘Walking up on you,’ bro?” Armstrong replied.
Santiago can then be heard directing Armstrong to stand on the side of the white Ford Explorer as he entered his squad vehicle to call for backup. At this moment, a second officer arrived, who court documents identified as Morgan Lowe, and began speaking with Armstrong.
Santiago then exited his vehicle and the two began speaking. Their entire dialogue can be viewed below:
“You trying to start this s*** but it’s cool, bro. Look, whenever you have your uniform off, holler at me then,” Armstrong said.
“Is that a threat?” Santiago asked. “Say that one more time.”
The video shows that Armstrong did not move toward either of the officers as he remained at the side of his Ford Explorer.
“Why don’t you want to repeat yourself? You scared?” Santiago asked again.
“Who am I scared of? I ain’t scared of nobody out here,” Armstrong said. “Man, let me chill out.”
“Check yourself,” Santiago said.
“For who?”
“For yourself, because I am about to f*** your night up,” Santiago said. “I don’t know who you think I am. I am that motherf***er that will f*** your night up.”
Santiago then approached Armstrong while telling him to turn around to place his hands in handcuffs.
“I ain’t turning around,” Armstrong responded.
A brawl soon followed between Armstrong, Santiago and Lowe as the officers struggled to apprehend Armstrong. The footage shows Santiao and Lowe wrestle Armstrong to the ground. Officer Lowe proceeded to deliver two kicks to Armstrong as he was on the ground still struggling to break away.
Lowe also attempts to use a stun gun on Armstrong at one point during the struggle.
At this moment, Armstrong’s sister approached as she exited the Walmart with a shopping cart as her brother was still standing up against the vehicle.
Afterward, Santiago can then be seen appearing to throw at least 10 punches. During this time, a third unidentified officer can be seen holding Armstrong’s sister back. Santiago and Lowe managed to place Armstrong in handcuffs and he can be seen remonstrating with them.
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