Shocking video shows the moment a Miami cop sucker punches a black man outside a restaurant after the victim snatched something off of a menu stand
A shocking video shows the moment a Miami Beach police officer sucker punches a black man outside a club after the victim grabbed something off a menu stand.
Authorities say a Miami Beach police Officer Frederick Dominguez turned over the video showing Officer Adriel Dominguez punching unarmed man, Lowell Poitier Jr, 35, in the face.
Officer Adriel, who is unrelated to the officer who reported him, is seen in the video, obtained by the Miami Herald, appearing to speak to Poitier while he's sitting down at a table at the Pelican Hotel restaurant.
Poitier is then seen getting out of his seat and snatching something off the menu stand in front of the restaurant.
The two men then come face-to-face with one another as Poitier yells, 'what, what'.
That's when Officer Adriel punches him in the face, sending Poitier crashing to the ground.
According to the Miami Herald, officers described Poitier as a homeless man from Orlando who has a string of mostly non-violent arrests and domestic violence charges.
Authorities said the confrontation, which took place on December 3, began when customers and staffers at the restaurant told police that Poitier was irate and refused to leave.
The responding officers were told by customers that Poitier was calling two women 'f***king gringas, which is a Spanish word that means white women.
The two men then come face-to-face with one another as Poitier yells, 'what, what'
That's when Officer Adriel (right) punches him in the face, sending Poitier crashing to the ground
According to the Herald, officers said Poitier was agitated, 'clenched his fist, took a fighting stance and leaned into' Officer Adriel's face.
The arrest report also said that Officer Adriel feared for his safety and subsequently punched the man in the face.
As for Poitier (pictured), he suffered a cut lip, and was charged with misdemeanor assault on a police officer, resisting arrest without violence and disorderly conduct
But the video appears to contradict the police report.
Poitier is heard yelling 'what, what' but he doesn't appear to try and fight Adriel.
Officer Frederick was not at the scene at the time of the incident, but the 12-year veteran obtained a copy of it and reported it to his department, his attorney, Michael Pizzi, told the Herald.
Pizzi said Officer Frederick is asking for whistleblower protection after he brought forth actions the actions of Officer Adriel that he thought constituted misconduct.
Miami Beach Police Chief Daniel Oates said in a statement Wednesday that Officer Adriel has been taken off patrol duty and given a non-law-enforcement assignment until further notice.
The chief says an internal affairs investigation has been launched into the actions by Adriel, who has worked for the department for two years.
As for Poitier, he suffered a cut lip, and was charged with misdemeanor assault on a police officer, resisting arrest without violence and disorderly conduct. He has since been released on bond.
