Phoenix police release body camera footage of man who died after arrest
Jan 26, 2017, 4:00 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2017, 11:20 am
(WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS DISTURBING LANGUAGE AND VISUALS THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO WATCH)
PHOENIX — Phoenix police released body camera footage Thursday of a man who died after being arrested.
The footage was taken at the Maryvale Community Center near 51st Avenue and Indian School Road earlier this month. It shows the arrest of 43-year-old Muhammad Abdul Muhaymin, who struggled with officers as he was escorted out of the facility.
“This investigation remains active,” Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said in a release. “We have a duty to protect the integrity of the investigation, however, in this particular case, we do not believe the release of the body worn camera video will jeopardize our ability to complete a thorough and accurate investigation.”
The video shows Muhaymin was combative with as many as eight officers during his arrest and continued to act violently after being placed in two pairs of handcuffs.
While being restrained by police, he can be heard saying “I can’t breath” as officers urge him to calm down.
After he was arrested, Muhaymin showed signs of medical distress — including vomiting — and officers attempted to help him.
In the video, several officers can be heard saying, “Call fire,” an instruction to contact the fire department for medical help.
Muhaymin was hospitalized but later died. He may have been under the influence of drugs, but a cause of death has not yet been released.
