An upstate New York cop has been placed on paid leave after he punched a woman in the throat when she tried to bite him during a fight at Walmart.
Officer Rory Spain is under investigation for excessive use of force and has been placed on leave, according to the DeWitt Police Department.
Officer Spain and his partner responded to a report of a disturbance at the Walmart in East Syracuse, NY on July 4.
Walmart employees called police after they were threatened and pepper-sprayed in the face by two women. Customers were also allegedly pepper-sprayed by the women.
The two women are identified as Tyreana Edmonds and Tajenik Byrd.
Officer Spain is accused of punching Edmonds in the throat when she tried to bite him while he attempted to detain her. Cellphone footage of the melee went viral online over the weekend.
The DeWitt PD posted 15-minute video that showed the officers arriving and taking Edmonds and Boyd into custody.
The video was posted in response to inquiries received regarding a Use of Force Incident.
Edmonds was charged with second-degree attempted assault of a police officer, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree harassment, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and obstruction.
Byrd was charged with third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a noxious material, resisting arrest, and obstruction, according to DailyMail.com.
Both women were released on desk appearance tickets. About 25 people protested outside the DeWitt Police Department, shouting “Black Lives Matter” and other slogans.
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