ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WUSA9) -- Fairfax County Police are investigating if use of force was justified after the arrest of a man was caught on camera and shared across the country.
The arrest happened on Friday outside of this Aldi grocery store off Russell Road in Alexandria.
According to police, an officer smelled marijuana and asked 23-year-old Dadrian Jegede to stop. Jegede allegedly ignored the officer’s commands and walked away.
In the video, a Fairfax County officer can be seen grabbing both of 23-year-old Dadrian Jegede’s wrists while trying to arrest him.
During the arrest, both the officer and suspect fell over and Jegede ended up on top of the officer.
Jegede then got up and tried to run away, but the officer grabbed Jegede before he could leave. It was at this point police said Jegede assaulted the officer.
Detectives said Jegede pushed the officer before the cop grabbed the side of his neck and took him down.
Another officer then rushed in to help flip the 23-year-old over and make the arrest.
People WUSA9 spoke to Sunday had mixed reactions over the video.
“It’s a good thing that they do have video evidence of this,” Aisha Konare said. “He didn’t put anybody in danger. That was wrong.”
Earnest Washington said, “If he started conflict from the start, then I don’t see why the cop shouldn’t arrest him.”
The video, posted by the police department does not show what happened before or after the clip. The video also has no sound.
The Fairfax County Police Department released the video because they said it shows just how dangerous their jobs are.
“My officers were professional at all times to overcome a violent criminal and I stand behind their actions,” Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler said in a statement.
“Regardless of whether he deserved to be arrested, the way that was handled was — it was unethical no,” Fanta Konare told WUSA9. “You don’t drag someone. All that stuff was extra.”
“I mean if he was in the wrong place at the wrong time doing something he ain’t supposed to be doing, that’s what happens to you,” Washington explained.
The suspect is in jail without bond on drug and assault charges.
