Viral Video Showing Cop Slamming Handcuffed 17-Year-Old Black Girl Sparks Outrage

A viral video of a San Bernardino police officer body-slamming 17-year-old Erin last month has sparked widespread outrage and calls for an independent investigation. The incident occurred on May 21 outside a Food4Less, where police responded to a report of trespassing and fighting. While several teenagers ran off, officers singled out Erin. According to the Los Angeles Times, three officers stood by as a fourth grabbed Erin, cuffed one wrist, and when she resisted, violently slammed her face-first to the ground.

The girl’s father, Christopher Crowser, said, “He should not even have had his hands on her, but he picked up my child like she was a ragdoll and slammed her to the ground.” Erin suffered a dislocated wrist, chin and facial cuts needing stitches, and cement burns. She said, “I’m just in a lot of pain. I’m hurt everywhere—my head, my whole body. I’m not the same person I was.” Her mother, Tanya Brownridge, added, “I’ll be taking her to the hospital again today. She’s still complaining about her face hurting, her head hurting, her wrist hurting, her legs hurt, her back hurt.”

San Bernardino police defended the officer’s actions, claiming, “The officer was only able to place one of her hands in cuffs when she began actively pulling away and attempting to walk off from the officer, when a takedown maneuver was used.” They also said, “Use of force is applied based on behavior, not on age, gender, or race.”

The family held a press conference Sunday, with Erin’s grandmother, Rhonda Taylor, saying, “You could see the blood by the police car where it busted her chin open. It’s not OK. She’s a baby. She’s a baby. It’s not OK.” Erin’s family is demanding California Attorney General Rob Bonta launch an investigation and is planning a lawsuit against the police department. Her mother said, “They gave us three different stories — one to me, one to my mom, and one to my sister. I just want justice, that’s it.” Social media users have also called out the department for past incidents of misconduct, including a December 2023 police shooting that resulted in a $5 million settlement.

Link: Atlanta Black Star