Clown World NY - DEWITT N.Y. — A Dewitt police officer is on paid administrative leave following an altercation at a Walmart in East Syracuse. A controversial social media post shows the officer punching a woman in the face on July 4th in the store …
Clown World NY - DEWITT N.Y. — A Dewitt police officer is on paid administrative leave following an altercation at a Walmart in East Syracuse. A controversial social media post shows the officer punching a woman in the face on July 4th in the store on Basile Road. Town of Dewitt officer, Rory Spain, whose been on the force three years, is on leave until an internal investigation is complete.
“While in route officers were advised that the employees were being threatened, struck in the face, and the customers had also been pepper-sprayed by the same two suspects,” says Public Information Officer, Lt. Jerry Pace. Officers were responding to reports of up to 6 people fighting inside the store on Sunday. According to police, 22-year-old, Tajenik Byrd of Syracuse and Tyreana Edmonds, 26, of Albany attacked store employees and sprayed mace into a crowd that included children.
In a 15 minute Facebook video released Friday, department spokesman, Lt. Jerry Pace, explains the altercation before, during and after the confrontation using three police body camera videos, cell phone video, and store video. “Officer Buyck maintained control of Byrd by placing his hips and legs down and not applying pressure to her back stomach or neck,” says Lt. Pace. Afterward, Lt. Pace shows the moments leading up to the punch from Officer Spain in slow motion and at normal speed. The footage shows Edmonds attempting to bite him before the hit.
Rory Spain, Corey Buyck, and Rebecca Bishop have been identified as the officers involved in the incident. Spain is the only officer placed on leave. He has been on the force since 2018. “Conclusions about whether the actions of the officers are consistent with the department policy and the law will not be made until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete,” says Pace.
Edmonds has been charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest, having a stun gun, and other charges. Byrd is facing child endangerment charges, along with assault and resisting arrest. Both were released on appearance tickets. Anti-police brutality activists are planning to march to Dewitt police headquarters in protest.
