A recent arrest made by a Fort Wayne Police Officer has sparked controversy after a video of the incident was released. Our 21Investigates team has taken a closer look at the footage, which appears to show the officer using what some may consider excessive force.
The officer who fatally shot a man in June from the Fort Wayne Police Department has now become the focus of a viral arrest video.
During a traffic stop early Monday, Mason Wills, one of the two FWPD officers involved, can be seen pulling Tyjana Smith, 29, out of her car, according to the city police log.
According to Captain Jeremy Webb, a public information officer for FWPD, Wills was put on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm in June. It’s standard protocol for officers involved in police-action shootings to be placed on administrative leave for a period of five working days.
Authorities are still investigating the shooting of Parhm and no further details have been released at this time.
A witness recorded a video that shows Wills and FWPD Officer Matt Pierr arresting Tyjana Smith, which has been widely shared on social media. As a result, some social media users are questioning Wills’ actions.
In an exclusive interview with Emilia Miles today, family members of the victim spoke out about the video. Tierra Smith, the victim’s sister, expressed her feelings of distrust towards the Fort Worth Police Department.
“Punching her in the face repeatedly. Two men overpowering a helpless woman, punching her, over and over, and then throwing her in a jail cell like she is not nothing. Over a traffic stop? When did it get so bad?”