In a blatant case of police abuse of power, a Fredricksburg, Virginia, police officer has resigned from the force after a video surfaced showing him using a Taser and pepper spray on an African-American man who was having a stroke at the time of the assault by the officer.
Officer Shaun Jurgens resigned on May 14 even though he maintains that he did nothing wrong while subduing David Washington. Washington had driven in the wrong direction on a street and then stopped at an intersection. He was sitting in his car, unresponsive, when Jurgens and two other officers approached the vehicle. It was later determined that Washington was having a stroke at the time and was disoriented.
The video clearly shows Jurgens using his Taser on Mr. Washington as the driver stares forward and says nothing. After another officer opens the door of the car, Jurgens is seen spraying a large amount of pepper spray into Washington’s face. Jurgens then begins yelling:
“Get out the car. Get out the car, or I’m going to f*cking smoke you. Get out the car, right now. We ain?t playing.?
Jurgens later defended his actions by saying he thought Washington might be intoxicated on drugs or alcohol and was concerned because there was a school close to the scene of the incident.
But an investigation by the?Fredericksburg Police Department found that Jurgens’ actions were not in line with department policy and were excessive under the circumstances.
The two other officers who responded, Cpl. Matt Deschenes and Sgt. Crystal Hill, are still under investigation?by the department.
David Washington was taken to a local hospital and later released. He?has been charged with reckless driving and driving on a revoked license, but has not been arrested for either of those violations.
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