Mother of man expresses outrage, while LAPD offers different version of the incident.
The mother of a handcuffed Black suspect seen on video getting punched in the head by a Los Angeles police officer described the lawman on Tuesday, July 30, as “a time-bomb ticking,” while the man’s lawyer said the officer “does not deserve to remain on the force” — but the LAPD and the police union offered distinctly differing versions of the now-viral encounter.
The video of the arrest, posted on social media, shows two officers taking Alexander Mitchell into custody on Sunday on 113th Street in Watts. The suspect is at least partially handcuffed, with his hands behind his back, and is heard asking loudly, “What did I do, though?”
At that point, one of the officers punches Mitchell in the chin, eliciting cries of protest from witnesses standing nearby off camera. The officers then continue adjusting Mitchell’s handcuffs and take him into custody.
On Tuesday, LAPD Deputy Chief Blake Chow told the Police Commission that the department has fast-tracked a use-of-force investigation into the video and the arrest.
Handcuffed Man Punched in Face by LAPD Officer
Police said previously the officer involved has been removed from field duty while the investigation proceeds.
Mitchell and his mother both attended a news conference Tuesday morning in downtown Los Angeles with their attorney. Mitchell did not speak, but his mother shared her anger.
“I’m outraged. That officer sucker-punched my son while he was in handcuffs,” his mother, An’tneal Harris, said. “It’s horrible. I could have been here planning for a funeral. Something has to be done. It has to stop.”
She added, “To see my only child handcuffed, punched in the face while he was complying — I have a problem with that. This officer is a time- bomb ticking.”
Mitchell’s attorney, Brad Gage, said he believes that more than one punch was thrown, and that Mitchell was originally sitting in his car when he was approached by officers.
“It was brutal. It was uncalled for. It was unjustified, and we demand justice, accountability and an investigation,” Gage said.
“This officer clearly has anger-management issues. He does not deserve to remain on the force. We’re calling on the District Attorney’s Office to investigate.”
Following the news conference, the LAPD issued its own statement — prefaced with, “The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.”
According to the LAPD statement, “On July 28, 2024, at around 5:20 p.m., Southeast patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on a double-parked vehicle facing against traffic at the intersection of 113th Street and Graham Avenue. Initially believed to be unoccupied, the vehicle was later discovered to be occupied upon closer inspection through its heavily tinted windows.
“The officers ordered the occupant, identified as 28-year-old Alexander Gofferney Mitchell, to exit the vehicle and attempted to handcuff him. As a crowd began to gather around the scene, additional backup was requested. During the handcuffing process, Mitchell resisted by refusing to place his hands behind his back and grasping his front waistband/pocket area with his right hand, preventing the officers from securing him. An officer then struck Mitchell on the right side of his face, enabling the officers to complete the handcuffing.”
The statement said Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported Mitchell to a hospital for medical clearance prior to booking, and that Mitchell was later arrested and booked on suspicion of obstructing/resisting arrest. Mitchell was released with a misdemeanor citation, police said.
Some 15 speakers called in to the Police Commission meeting on Tuesday, with some asking the department to identify the officers involved in the incident.
