US Olympic medalist Fred Kerley arrested and stun-gunned during confrontation with police in Miami
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US Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley, who won a bronze medal in the men’s 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was arrested and stun-gunned during a confrontation with police officers in Miami, Florida, on Thursday night. Kerley is now facing multiple charges, including battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Body camera footage from the incident was later released by the Miami Beach Police Department. The footage shows Kerley approaching officers who were engaged in an unrelated investigation. One officer can be seen raising a hand and pushing against Kerley’s chest, after which Kerley swats the officer’s hand away. This sparks a physical altercation between the officers and Kerley. The video is silent until the confrontation escalates. As the altercation continues, several officers push Kerley to the ground. One officer appears to strike Kerley several times during the struggle. According to the police arrest report, two officers lost their balance and fell backward, with Kerley falling on top of one of them. At that point, an officer deployed a stun gun, hitting Kerley with a dart, causing him to collapse.
Kerley’s attorney, Yale Sanford, described the bodycam footage as “obscene,” claiming it demonstrated a lack of humanity and respect toward his client. Sanford expressed outrage at the way Kerley was treated, despite his accomplishments on the world stage. “No matter how hard you work, how many medals you earn for your country, and how many people across the globe you inspire, in Miami Beach, Mr. Kerley was treated like millions of African-Americans, male and female, around the country,” Sanford said. He called attention to the broader issue of police misconduct, stressing the importance of holding officers accountable for such behavior.
The altercation occurred while Kerley was concerned about his vehicle, which was parked near the scene of the police investigation. According to Miami Beach Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bess, Kerley approached the officers and disregarded their lawful commands. Bess claimed that Kerley physically pushed one of the officers, which led to his arrest and the use of force to subdue him.
Following the incident, Kerley was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He was subsequently arraigned in Miami-Dade County Court on Friday afternoon, where his attorney criticized the actions of the police. Sanford highlighted the fact that Kerley, a decorated athlete, was treated unfairly and emphasized that such conduct should not be tolerated.
Kerley is scheduled for another court appearance on Saturday in connection with an unrelated legal matter. He faces charges of robbery and domestic battery after his wife accused him of choking her during a dispute in May 2024. According to a police report filed with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Kerley allegedly circled his arm around her neck, restricted her breathing, and took away her cellphone before leaving the scene in her vehicle.
At this time, USA Track and Field has declined to comment on the incident. Kerley’s case has attracted widespread attention, with many expressing concern over the use of force during the confrontation. As the legal proceedings continue, both the criminal charges and the police response are likely to remain a topic of public debate.
This incident marks a significant and controversial moment in Kerley’s career, raising questions about police behavior and the treatment of athletes, particularly African-American men, by law enforcement. As Kerley’s legal troubles unfold, his supporters are likely to continue scrutinizing how the situation was handled by the police, while his legal team works to address the charges.
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