Roommates, a group of Syracuse police officers, are being fired after a viral video captured them locking an 8-year-old black kid in the back of a team car for allegedly stealing a bag of Doritos from a grocery store.
According to the New York Post, the video was shared by Kenneth Jackson, a local resident, who can be heard questioning the officers about the boy’s alleged behavior. He eventually offered to pay for the bag of chips, but officers insisted it was “illegal” to steal Doritos as they continued to put him in the patrol car.
“What are you doing?” Jackson repeatedly questioned the officers. “He looks like a kid to me.”
Officers asked Jackson to leave and an officer said he did not “know what” [he] talking about,” when Jackson insisted on his release. The officer explained that the boy allegedly stole a bag of chips and Jackson replied:
“What did he steal? A bag of chips? So you all treat him like a cold-blooded killer? “
However, Jackson remained at the scene, demanding that the police release the boy. Another boy approached the patrol car and shouted, “Not him!”
The Post spoke to the boy’s father, Anthony Weah, who said that police sent his son home after the three boys were accused of stealing chips. Weah noted that the police were friendly, but said he was shocked when he saw the video on social media after the incident.
“Why did the police treat that kid like that? Over $3 a bag of chips,” Weah said.
He added that he plans to file a complaint against the officers involved.
The Syracuse Police Department made an announcement about the incident on their Instagram page. Part of the statement reads,
We are aware of a video being shared on social media involving some of our Employees and minors being accused of shoplifting in a store in the North of the City. The incident, including the actions of the Officers and the body-worn cameras, is under review. ”
Check out the full report here:
