Georgia police video captures violent arrest, takedown of innocent Black man

WARNING: Video contains violent content not suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion advised. A 46-year-old Black man is suing police in Valdosta, Georgia for $700,000 after they arrested and subsequently took him to the ground in an incident in February that was captured on a police officer’s body camera. Antonio Smith is alleging that police used excessive force after mistaking him for a suspect who was alleged to have been harassing shoppers outside a nearby Walgreens. Video released on June 22 showing an officer approaching Smith and using a “physical control technique to place the subject on the ground so handcuffs could be applied”, according to a statement from police. Police later admitted officers had mistook Smith for the alleged suspect, who was also Black.