Brian Hamacher

BSO Deputies in Tough Take-Down Video Suspended

State attorney says charges won't be filed against 15-year-old seen in viral video

The Broward Sheriff's deputies seen on videos showing a teen being thrown to the ground and punched have been suspended, the sheriff said.

The announcement comes just hours after the news that Sgt. Gregory LaCerra was placed on restricted duty, and days after Deputy Christopher Krickovich was also placed on restricted duty following the April 18 encounter in a McDonald's parking lot with students from J.P. Taravella High School in Tamarac.

"As we continue to gather information in our internal investigation, I have decided to change the deputies' status from restricted administrative assignment to a suspended status as our investigation continues," Sheriff Gregory Tony said in a statement Tuesday.

Further details were not available.

The news comes as Broward County State Attorney Mike Satz announced the 15-year-old student who had an altercation with the deputies will not be facing charges in in the incident.

The deputies had responded to a fight outside the McDonald's where 200 students gathered. Sheriff's office reports say the 15-year-old tried to pick up a phone belonging to a student being detained.

Video showed LaCerra pepper-sprayed the teen after he stood up and appeared to say something to him. LaCerra then threw the teen to the ground, where Krickovich jumped on him, slammed his head twice and punched him.

Krickovich's union says his actions were in self-defense. The teen wasn't seriously hurt.

"I just want accountability. Not just officer accountability, but human accountability. He’s a kid and he obviously was unarmed and not involved in anything," said Sue-Ann Robinson, an attorney representing the teen.

BSO reports showed two juveniles were charges in the incident, one with trespassing, the 15-year-old with assaulting an officer and resisting an officer without violence.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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