A video capturing the disturbing incident of an Alabama police officer using a taser on a man already in handcuffs has gone viral, leading to the officer being placed on leave. The footage, widely shared on social media, shows a Black man lying in the street, handcuffed, as an officer from the Reform Police Department instructs him to stand up. The officer then proceeds to push the man against the hood of a car and holds the stun gun to his back, demanding him to stay still.
In the video, the man protests, saying, “I ain’t doing s—, bro. I got a gun right there.” The officer then removes the gun from the man’s pocket, laughing and exclaiming, “Oh yeah!” The situation escalates as the officer pulls the trigger on the stun gun, shouting, “Shut the f— up.” The man, still handcuffed, can be seen crying and pleading for mercy.
Reform, Alabama, the town where the incident took place, has a population of 1,495 and is situated approximately 30 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa. In response to the video, Reform Police Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody Davis released a statement acknowledging the incident and stating that they are cooperating with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, who will be conducting an investigation into the matter. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave as per city policy.
The man in the video has been identified as Micah Washington, a 24-year-old resident of Tuscaloosa. According to online jail records, Washington faces multiple charges, including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations, possession of marijuana, drug trafficking, and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. He is currently being held at the Pickens County jail on a bond of $505,000.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about police misconduct and excessive use of force. The video has drawn attention to the need for accountability and proper training within law enforcement agencies. As the investigation unfolds, the Reform community and the public at large are eagerly awaiting the outcome and hoping for justice to be served.
