NYPD cops punch man with his hands up over pizza — VIDEO
A man who was accused of stealing a slice of pizza was punched in the head repeatedly by New York police officers after he had his hands up in surrender.
Thomas Jennings, 24, is seen in a surveillance video talking with one officer in a store on July 7, NBC New York reported. After Jennings raises his hands in the air, another officer approaches and punches the man in the head. The first officer then hits Jennings with his baton.
“He intended to comply with police, he posted no threat to anyone in the store,” Jennings attorney said. “He certainly posed no threat to police.”
Jennings’ attorney said the incident started when he and another man were short a dollar for a pizza order.
The New York Daily News reported a criminal complaint alleged the other man pulled out a knife and the two ran off with the pizza. As a result of the incident, Jennings suffered neck and back pain and a cut to his face requiring stitches.
The New York Police Department’s internal affairs bureau is investigating.
Contact Kristen DeSilva at 702-477-3895 or kdesilva@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva