A former Division I basketball player says he was cooperating with authorities when an Arkansas traffic stop escalated into a violent arrest. The incident is captured on camera, showing a state trooper breaking an SUV window, pulling him by his hair and punching him in the face.
According to theGrio, Tedrick Washington Jr. was riding in the backseat of an SUV during an Aug. 19 police pursuit in Blytheville, Arkansas, when officers used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. Police alleged the SUV had been traveling 119 mph.
Washington, a Blytheville native, was not driving the vehicle.
TheGrio reports that footage from the encounter shows Washington briefly holding his hands up in the backseat before the officer nearest to him, identified as Theodore Henderson, used a baton to break the window.
After Washington extended his arm through the opening, the footage reportedly shows Henderson pulling him by his hair and punching him in the face before removing him from view.
Washington maintains that he was cooperating with officers.
Trooper Says Washington “Postured Up” Before Punch
In theGrio, Henderson acknowledges in his report that he struck Washington a second time during the arrest.
Henderson also reports that he had instructed Washington to crawl through the opening created after the trooper broke the vehicle’s window.
The officer offered a different account of Washington’s actions leading up to the punch. According to theGrio, Henderson claims Washington “postured up” as though he were preparing to swing at him, prompting Henderson to punch him in the face.
Washington was ultimately charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental operations.
TheGrio states that Adonerus Johnson, who was driving the SUV, was arrested and charged with felony fleeing, resisting arrest, first-offense DWI, reckless driving and other charges.
Washington is reportedly preparing to pursue legal action following the encounter. Watch the dash camera footage of the arrest below.
Another Arkansas Arrest Draws Scrutiny
Washington’s arrest comes during the same month that another encounter involving an Arkansas State Police trooper drew national attention over the use of force.
According to theGrio, Trooper Moisses Arellano was captured on camera punching 18-year-old Alisa Hackett in the face on Aug. 1 after pulling her over for a traffic violation.
The footage sparked calls for accountability from Black lawmakers in Arkansas.
During a gathering of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus, Rep. Jesse McGruder, a former law enforcement officer, addressed the incident and questioned the use of force.
“Any young man who has played for me knows if you strike a female, you will be suspended that week, and you have to deal with the consequences,” McGruder said.
TheGrio states that Hackett has since filed a federal lawsuit against Arellano.
Arkansas State Police Director Cites Pending Litigation
TheGrio reports that Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar did not meet with Black lawmakers during a scheduled appearance earlier this week because of the ongoing litigation surrounding Hackett’s case.
Hagar said in a statement shared Monday that he remained willing to speak with lawmakers outside of a public setting.
“I offered to meet privately with the Caucus to have an open and candid conversation about any public safety concerns they would like to discuss,” Hagar said.
He added that the pending lawsuit limited what he believed he could discuss publicly.
“That offer stands, and I’d be very happy to talk individually with any legislator,” Hagar said. “Unfortunately, because of pending litigation, it would be irresponsible and impossible for me to have an open discussion in a public setting.”
Washington now faces charges stemming from the arrest as he reportedly prepares to take legal action over how officers handled the encounter.
