Previously unseen bodycam footage released two years after the incident took place revealed officers punching and dragging 49-year-old Ronald Greene moments before his death.
What We Know:
- In 2019, Ronald Greene was arrested outside of Monroe, Louisiana by state troopers after failing to stop for a traffic violation. According to the bodycam footage, troopers pursued Greene’s SUV on the highway at speeds over 115 mph. After coming to a stop, Greene appears to raise his hands over his head repeatedly saying “Ok, Ok. I’m sorry.” It is at this point that troopers shock Greene with a stun gun, before wrestling him to the ground.
- In videos obtained by the Associated Press, the officers can be seen placing Greene in a chokehold and punching him in the face, while another officer present is heard calling Greene a “stupid mother——.” As Greene continues to shout “I’m sorry!” the officers shock him again and threaten to do so again unless he puts his hands behind his back.
- The footage also shows an officer briefly dragging Greene on the ground by his feet after his arms and legs had been cuffed. However, instead of administering first-aid, the troopers left Greene face-down on the ground for several minutes. Rather, the officers chose to wipe their own hands and faces of blood while one can even be heard saying, “I hope this guy ain’t got f—— AIDS.”
- For years, Louisiana officials repeatedly ignored calls to release the bodycam footage and details surrounding Greene’s death. The Louisiana State Police did not comment on the contents of the new videos but stated the “unauthorized release of evidence undermines the investigative process,” according to Reuters.
- State Troopers initially told Greene’s family he died in a car crash, before later saying he died en route to a hospital after a struggle with police. The family has filed a federal lawsuit against the police, and the U.S. Justice Department launched its own investigation last year.
State authorities are still investigating the tragic events surrounding Greene’s death, and none of the officers involved have been charged with a criminal offense.
