Footage shows teen assaulting an officer, attempted to disarm him during arrest
By: -----
Vancouver, WA - A Vancouver police officer was assaulted during an arrest April 4, the agency said.
At 8:30 p.m., police responded to the 1400 block of Washington Street after receiving a report of a man — now identified as a 15-year-old — kicking and punching a car, causing damage. Police said the reporting party was concerned the teenager might assault a nearby woman.
“When the first Vancouver police officer arrived, he located the suspect, who was screaming and acting aggressively toward a male and a female, who were later identified as his mother and stepfather,” Vancouver police said. “As the officer approached the three individuals, the suspect chest-bumped his stepfather in an aggressive manner.”
Police said the officer attempted to take the teenager into custody.
“The suspect immediately and aggressively moved toward the officer, grabbed his upper body, got him into a headlock and attempted to grab the officer’s gun,” police said. During the encounter, the teenager ripped multiple items off the officer’s ballistic vest.
“In an attempt to control the suspect during the violent struggle, an officer used what appears to be a form of neck restraint,” Vancouver police said. “Under RCW 10.120.020, a peace officer may use deadly force against another person only when necessary to protect against an immediate threat of serious physical injury or death to the officer or another person.”
Police were able to handcuff the teenager, but he continued to struggle and kick at officers.
“As he was being walked to a patrol vehicle, he continued to make verbal threats and spit in an officer’s face,” police said.
The teenager was taken to the Robert L. Harris Juvenile Justice Center and faces charges including attempted robbery, assault of a law enforcement officer and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer.
Police said one of the officers was taken to a hospital for evaluation and later released.