Bodycam video shows officers repeatedly striking Dasaun Williams during his arrest.
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Jacksonville, FL - Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and the family of Dasaun Williams are demanding accountability after newly released body camera video shows officers repeatedly striking Williams during his arrest.
The arrest happened during Operation Red Light, a long-term drug investigation led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that targeted alleged gang members.
Authorities said the investigation led to the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, firearms, and cash. Four men were arrested, including 23-year-old Dasaun Williams.
But attorneys representing Williams said the newly released video shows officers using excessive force during his arrest.
At a news conference on Friday, Crump urged the public to closely watch the footage.
“Don't take our word for it… We just want you to watch the video.”
Crump said the video shows Williams complying with officers before being repeatedly struck.
“He complies… and yet they have him on the ground, face down, and they kick him repeatedly while he's face down.”
Williams’ mother, Deonta Gordon, spoke emotionally about what she said happened to her son during the arrest.
“My son was beaten brutally for a crime that he should not have been beaten for," Deonta says. "He should have just been arrested.”
She said her son was not resisting officers when force was used, and that the situation could have ended differently.
“My son didn't utter a word, not one word in disrespect and resistance to the violence that he received from JSO," she says. "My son vomited. He could have died at that scene, and neither officer gave a care.”
First Coast News crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson, who reviewed the video, said the level of force used raises serious concerns.
“Now you have several levels of force. You got your basic use of force, you've got excessive force, and you've got unnecessary force. This falls in one of the three categories. Use of Force was necessary, so we'll check that out. But unnecessary force was there with the strikes, the knee strikes, and the punches.”
Crump said they plan to continue pushing for accountability and further investigation into the incident.
“Ask for accountability… In fact, demand accountability.”