A viral video circulating online has sparked outrage across social media after it showed an Arkansas trooper aggressively pulling a Black man from the backseat of a car. The man has reportedly been identified as Tedrick Washington Jr. Now, Washington is speaking out about the incident and sharing how he plans to handle the situation moving forward.
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Viral Incident With Arkansas Trooper & Black Male Sparks Outrage On Social Media
Footage making rounds online shows an encounter between an Arkansas trooper and a man reportedly identified as Tedrick Washington Jr. In the video, the trooper appears to tell Tedrick to “crawl out the car” as he sits in the backseat with another person. Tedrick appears to respond that he can’t unlock the door, but the trooper continues yelling and demanding that he “crawl out of the car.” The trooper then appears to yank Washington out of the vehicle by his dreads before continuing to pull him through the back window by his arm. As Tedrick hangs halfway out of the window, the trooper appears to punch him in the face.
Tedrick Washington Jr. Breaks His Silence On The Viral Encounter
While speaking exclusively with The Shade Room, Tedrick Washington Jr. said he willingly cooperated with the trooper but believes the officer used excessive force. Washington also said the Arkansas trooper’s violence and aggression prompted him to pursue legal action against the officer.
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Social Media Calls Out The Trooper For Using Excessive Force
After The Shade Room shared the clip of the Arkansas trooper and Tedrick Washington Jr., many social media users took to the comments. Plenty of Roommates said the trooper didn’t need to get so aggressive, while others pointed out that Tedrick clearly appeared to cooperate.
Instagram user @ms_katie_baby wrote, “He was clearly having difficulties opening the door and wasn’t aggressive what was the reason for pulling him by his hair and punching him?!?!”
Instagram user @attrvktion wrote, “He was on the BACK SEAT and said multiple times that he COULD NOT open the door! For the people who’s going to say ‘he wasn’t cooperating’ or ‘he was the one driving over the speed limit.’
While Instagram user @prettyass_star wrote, “His Lawyer rubbing his hands together like birdman right now lol.”
Then Instagram user @flygirlmimi_318 wrote, “That cop need to be charged and fired he could’ve broken his shoulder or arm.”
Another Instagram user @lilobama19 wrote, “There was absolutely no reason for this. Senseless violence. Makes me sick. That’s a huge excessive force lawsuit.”
Instagram user @mik.jefa wrote, “They need to test officers for their level of emotional intelligence before they become someone that ‘enforces the law’.”
While another Instagram user @shelovecj wrote, “Absolutely no reason for this!”
Then another Instagram user @carmelcutie__ wrote, “This was so unnecessary he wasn’t even moving.”
Finally, Instagram user @sassye85 wrote, “I’m soooooooooo sick of seeing this it’s like the new norm for them smfh its disgusting.”
