A New York Police Department officer is being investigated by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs unit after video of him violently throwing a pregnant woman on the ground early Saturday emerged.
The above video shows the officer grabbing Sandra Amezquita and slamming her on the pavement in Sunset Park. Amezquita, who is five months pregnant, reportedly suffered vaginal bleeding and bruising as a result of the handling.
From NY Daily News:
The baby’s father, Ronel Lemos, said he watched in horror as his wife hit the ground belly-first.
“The first thing I thought was they killed my baby and they’re going to kill my wife,” Lemos, 50, told the Daily News on Tuesday.
Moments later, another unidentified woman was violently flung to the ground on Fifth Ave. and 41st St.
“You would think the police would respect a woman that is pregnant,” Amezquita, 43, said through an interpreter in an exclusive interview with The News.
“I was afraid something happened to my baby. I am still afraid that something is wrong,” she said, referring to the abdominal pain that persists.
Lemos was arrested for assaulting a police officer. Amezquita was given a summons for disorderly conduct.
The officer involved, who was not identified, is the second officer from the 72nd Precinct to be investigated in the span of a week.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton last week suspended a cop caught on camera kicking a street vendor on Fifth Ave. in Sunset Park as he was being subdued by fellow officers.
You can watch the disturbing video of Amezquita’s arrest in its entirety here.
SOURCE: NY Daily News, Facebook | VIDEO SOURCE: News Inc.
