A North Charleston police officer has been placed on administrative leave following a controversial incident that surfaced online Tuesday night. A video posted to social media shows a juvenile being handcuffed at a Circle K gas station on Rivers Avenue and Otranto Road. The video has raised concerns and prompted an immediate internal review by the North Charleston Police Department, who confirmed awareness of the situation on Wednesday.
The Incident at Circle K
The incident, which occurred the previous evening, shows a 15-year-old juvenile being held down on the ground by a police officer while yelling phrases like “Get off of me” and “I’m not doing nothing wrong.” At one point, the juvenile says, “I’m scared for my life,” as the officer repeatedly tells him to “stop.” The video captures a brief struggle between the juvenile and the officer, while other officers attempt to handcuff him. The scene ends with the juvenile being walked outside and placed into a patrol car.
Although the video shows the physical confrontation, it does not clarify what led to the incident. A relative of the juvenile told News 2 that the 15-year-old was selling Palmetto roses outside the gas station at the time of the altercation.
What Led to the Incident
According to an incident report obtained by News 2, officers were called to the Circle K around 1:15 p.m. in response to a reported vandalism. The store manager allegedly informed the officer that the juvenile had caused damage to a case of water by sticking roses into it. The manager reportedly asked the officer to have the juvenile pay for the damaged water.
When the officer approached the juvenile and asked him to stop, he allegedly tried to walk past the officer. The juvenile reportedly became argumentative and told the officer he could not pay for the damaged water. The officer then informed him that he was being detained.
The Juvenile’s Interaction with the Officers
The report indicates that the juvenile continued to be uncooperative even after being led outside to the patrol car. At that point, a bystander who identified himself as a mental health counselor asked to speak with the juvenile in an effort to calm him down. The officers agreed to allow this, and another citizen offered to pay for the damaged water and even offered the juvenile a job. The store manager then decided she no longer wished to press charges, and the juvenile was released from police custody.
Officer on Administrative Leave
In response to the incident, the North Charleston Police Department initiated an internal review of the situation and placed the officer involved on administrative leave pending further investigation. The department released a statement expressing understanding of the concerns raised in the community and emphasizing their commitment to transparency, accountability, and trust. They assured the public that they are conducting a thorough and impartial review of the incident.
“We understand the concern this has raised in our community,” said the department in a news release. “Transparency, accountability, and trust are core to our values, and we are committed to conducting a thorough and impartial review.”
The incident at the Circle K gas station has sparked concerns in the North Charleston community. As the police department conducts its investigation, the officer involved remains on administrative leave. This situation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions, especially when it involves young individuals. The community is waiting for further details as the department works to determine the full facts of the incident.
