Update: 10: 52 pm ET
Two Buffalo police officers involved in the confrontation that left a protester injured have reportedly been suspended.
BREAKING: Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood has ordered the suspension of both officers involved in viral video in Niagara Square tonight @wkbw
— Hannah Buehler (@HannahBuehler) June 5, 2020
ORIGINAL STORY:
Videos captured during demonstrations in Buffalo, New York, show a police officer push an elderly man so roughly that he falls to the ground. The graphic video shows that he is bleeding from the head.
WARNING: DISTURBING VIDEOS
Buffalo-based news station WBFO shared a video on Twitter showing a man who appears to be elderly approaching police officers during a demonstration in Niagara Square. The man is seen speaking to the officers briefly before one of them pushes him, sending the man falling backwards, landing on his head.
Just about an hour ago, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic). Video from: @MikeDesmondWBFO pic.twitter.com/JBKQLvzfET
— WBFO (@WBFO) June 5, 2020
Another local reporter shared video taken from a different angle, in which witnesses can be heard asking for medical attention for the injured man. One witness is heard saying that the man is unconscious.
Current situation in #Buffalo as police work to enforce the 8 p.m. curfew in Niagara Square. Caution: there is some vulgar language in the video. Tune to @SPECNewsBuffalo for the latest. Video Courtesy: Photojournalist Anthony Nelson pic.twitter.com/nP4AXgQGeR
— Katie Gibas (@KatieGibasTV) June 5, 2020
Shortly after the video went viral, a spokesperson for the Buffalo Police Department issued a statement claiming that a person attending the demonstration was injured when they “tripped and fell.” The statement has come under fire from journalists at the scene who witnessed the man being pushed.
A BPD spokesperson released this update. Five people were arrested and another person was injured during a protest in Niagara Square tonight. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/UZoDsSRs4J
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) June 5, 2020
CrimeOnline is seeking further information about the man’s condition. We will have further updates when more information is available.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Feature image: Screenshot of WBFO Twitter]