An investigation is underway by the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) following the emergence of a video depicting two Seattle police officers in the act of beating a man at a bus stop. This incident was captured at a south Seattle bus stop at approximately 1:30 p.m. on May 31, was made public when a passerby, Deeanthony Marcell, recorded a 40-second clip and shared it online. KING 5 reports that the unnamed man was struck with batons, and at one point, an officer was seen pulling the man's hair and subsequently pinning him down with a knee on the back of his head.
Marcell, who happened upon the scene while on a bus, felt impelled to document the alarmingly violent interaction, concerned by the unfolding brutality. "It was triggering, and it did not seem right," Marcell told FOX 13 Seattle. Pondering the recourse available when witnessing such a scene, Marcell recorded it, questioning who to call as the man being arrested cried out for help.
The investigation's status is available online, where it notes that OPA’s preliminary investigation commenced on Monday and may take up to a month for a complete review. Deeanthony Marcell expressed a stern perspective on the matter to KING 5, asserting, “It is never OK" and "That’s the only reason why I recorded it.” His sentiment echoes a growing public demand for answers and accountability concerning the Seattle Police Department's conduct, which has yet to comment officially on the incident in question.
