The violent arrest of a teenager in front of his home in Schertz, Texas is under investigation.
In a viral video uploaded to Facebook by the victim’s sister, police in Schertz, Texas are seen using a Taser and tackling an 18-year-old to place him under arrest.
DeOndra Rayford shared the footage on social media, expressing her empathy for Black men who are so often targeted by law enforcement. The video shows her brother Zekee Rayford being arrested in front of the family home. The police use Tasers, then tackle him after initially drawing their weapons.
“Dear young Black men…I understand why y’all are scared of the police…I’m sorry y’all have to go through this…I’m sorry brother,” she wrote on the post.
According to San Antonio Express-News, the video footage was captured by two security cameras at the family home.
The incident occurred on Monday night when Zekee was driving home. He allegedly ran a traffic light, prompting officers to attempt to pull him over. Instead of stopping, Zekee continued driving to his family home. When he pulled into the driveway, the teenager exited the vehicle with his hands up, holding his keys in one hand. By that time, police had drawn their weapons.
“Show me your hands now!” one officer yelled, commanding Zekee to get on the ground.
The teenager instead headed for his front door, pounding and screaming for his father to come help. He was followed by three cops, one with his Taser out. Two officers pulled Rayford to the ground. The third stood and watched as his peers continued to struggle with the teen while all of them yelled at him to stop resisting. Zekee’s family says he was tased six times and was repeatedly kicked while on the ground.
His father, Kenneth Rayford, and sisters eventually came to the door to question what happened.
“He’s under arrest,” one officer said. “We found pot in the vehicle.”
“Then why the f— you tase him,” Kenneth asked and was then told he needed to calm down. “You better relax or you’re going to get it next,” an officer said.
The Schertz police department released an official statement on their social media outlets, committing to an internal investigation of the incident.
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