Rock Hill police put officer on leave, start review after man injured during Publix arrest
Rock Hill police started an internal review and placed an officer on administrative leave after a man received lacerations before being taken into custody last week, the department said.
The “use of force” incident happened Dec. 6 around 6 p.m. outside a Publix grocery store on Cherry Road, the Rock Hill Police Department said Friday in a written statement released to The Herald. Store management asked police to bar the man from the property, the statement said.
The officer who responded decided to take the man into custody, police said.
A story first reported by WCNC-TV Thursday showed a video of a male officer appearing to strike the man as the two were on the ground outside the store.
Two more officers arrived and police took the man into custody, the statement said. The man was then taken to Piedmont Medical Center for treatment then released back into police custody, according to the department.
Police have not named the officer or the man involved.
Josh Kendrick, a Greenville lawyer representing the man’s family, told The Herald Friday by telephone he has seen the video, and has concerns about the force used. Kendrick said he is continuing to investigate what happened.
Here is the full statement by the police department about the incident:
“On December 6, 2024, at 5:58 p.m., Rock Hill Police were called to Publix, 2186 Cherry Road, for a suspicious male subject that management wished to be placed on Trespass Notice.
An officer arrived on scene and after meeting with management, encountered the male outside the store.
During the encounter, the officer decided to take the male into custody. This began a Use of Force incident between the officer and the male subject. After two additional officers arrived, the male was taken into custody.
The male received lacerations during the incident and was transported to Piedmont Medical Center where he was treated and released into police custody.
The Use of Force during the incident initiated an Internal Review. The primary officer involved has been on Administrative Leave while the review is conducted.”
This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 11:18 AM.
