An incident involving a NYPD officer and a subway train fare beater turned bloody late last week. A 20-year-old man was bashed in the face with a nightstick after trying to hop the gate, leaving blood gushing down his face.
Last Thursday evening, Donovan Lawson allegedly tried to bypass paying the fare at the Myrtle Avenue-Broadway JMZ. The unidentified officer approached Lawson, asking for his ID to which the man refused. From there, things escalated as Lawson tried to resist arrest thus forcing the officer to respond by striking him in the arms, legs and face with his nightstick.
Gawker has more:
Lawson, somewhat understandably, flees before the officer catches up with him and pulls him from the station. Before finally being taken away, Lawson—his face now covered with blood—stands outside surrounded by cops as a friend hugs him.
Lawson was treated at Woodhull Hospital for cuts on his head. He was later charged with fare beating, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and obstructing government administration.
The officer was treated at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for injuries to his hand and arm. The incident is said to be under investigation by the NYPD”s Internal Affairs department.
The officer and suspect are both Black, but cries of police brutality and abuse have started to bubble up in the days since the arrest.
A video of the incident is below. A warning: the clip might be disturbing to some.
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Photo: YouTube
