NYPD Releases Bodycam Video Of Cop Appearing To Beat, Punch Woman During Arrest Of Acquaintance

A compilation of bodycam recordings was released by New York City Police Department (NYPD) Thursday. It showed a woman shoving and slapping a cop before he slugged her in the face.

Warning: Graphic content

The first clip, which was shot from the side during the controversial incident in Harlem Tuesday afternoon, showed 19-year-old Tamani Crum scuffling with uniformed Detective Kendo Kinsey. Then he knocked her to the sidewalk with a devastating blow.

The second clip, which appeared to come from Kinsey’s camera, showed him approaching the scene on West 136th Street near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. It was there that the NYPD said that cops were arresting 22-year-old Elvin James on an attempted murder charge around 4. 45 p.m., reported New York Post.

According to the video, as cops surrounded the handcuffed suspect, Crum came and shouted, “What’s the problem?" Kinsey tried to grab Crum’s left arm but she pulled free. After that he grabbed her again and yanked her away. While shoving Kinsey with her right hand, Crum screamed, “Don’t f***ing touch me!” The cop then shoved Crum back by pushing against her throat with the crook of his hand. It prompted her to slap the cop. She told him to get off her. The cop responded with what appeared to be a right cross that sent Crum flying backward.

The video compilation posted by the NYPD was accompanied by a statement. It said that the incident happened while cops from the 32nd Precinct were arresting someone who “was carrying in his waistband an illegal, loaded semiautomatic Polymer 80 handgun, known as a ‘ghost gun.'”

The NYPD said that during the encounter, a "female acquaintance of this individual began to interfere with the arrest, including striking a detective." The statement further read that the detective fended off that "interference and struck the woman with an open hand.” The NYPD added the incident, including the conduct of the detective who used force, is under "ongoing review by our Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Group." Police body-worn camera footage and other video surveillance from the area and "witness statements, are being gathered and reviewed.”

According to court records, the attempted murder allegation against James is under investigation. He was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon as well as resisting arrest. Court records revealed that James was also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. It was in connection with a bottle of 20 oxycodone pills that was allegedly found in a pocket of his pants.

As for Crum, she was charged with second-degree obstructing criminal administration. Another woman, Faith Harrell, 27, was also charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest in an alleged attack on two other cops -- Officer Ryan Maldonado and Sergeant Pablo Taveras.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said that all three pleaded not guilty at their arraignments Wednesday night.

Crum's family lawyer, Jaime Santana Jr., said that the officer involved in this case was approximately "three times her body weight and size." The lawyer said that this was "unnecessary and it's unacceptable. This has to stop," reported CBS New York.

Crum’s grandmother Julia said that the cop wasn’t supposed to touch her, and she wants him to be locked up, reported Spectrum News NY1.