A video capturing a tense confrontation between a man and a child’s birthday party was recently recorded by a concerned mother on August 13th. Reports have confirmed that the man in question was actually an off-duty police officer, prompting the Galveston police to launch an internal investigation into the incident.
A video has surfaced showing Galveston police officer Jared Rivas repeatedly hitting an individual, who witnesses allege was a minor.
In the video, the mother, Heidi Williams, can be heard shouting “They are punching people!” in distress.
Video link: https://x.com/abc13houston/status/1806638697950929034
According to Rivas, “He was actively hitting people, just going at it.”
During a children’s birthday party at a friend’s apartment, Williams’ children were enjoying themselves in the pool area when a man entered. The man was carrying what appeared to be a law enforcement badge and a walkie-talkie and ordered them to leave. It was later discovered that the man was Rivas.
According to Williams, a man approached them wearing a badge and carrying a walkie-talkie. The man asked if they were residents, to which Williams replied that they were guests. However, the man responded by telling them to leave immediately, using profanity in the process.
According to Williams, the off-duty officer struck a minimum of four individuals. Her daughter’s scalp is now swollen and bruised, while her son has a busted lip and is emotionally drained.
Williams expressed, “Sleep seems to elude me, my daughter, and my son.”
According to Williams, she intends to pursue legal action against the officer who allegedly assaulted her family.
According to Galveston police, Rivas has been put on administrative leave, and an internal investigation has been initiated. Rivas was reportedly working as an off-duty security guard during the incident, but the leasing office has clarified that he is not an employee of the complex.