The Gwinett County Police department has terminated two police officers after they were caught on video punching and kicking an unarmed motorist.
Earlier this week video surfaced of Gwinett County police officers Michael Bongiovanni and Robert McDonald attacking 21-year-old Demetrius Hollins of Lawrenceville, Ga.
Hollins was pulled over for not having a license plate and making numerous illegal lane changes. Bongiovanni says when he approached the car he smelled marijuana. His report also said that Hollins was “acting strangely” and started asking for his mother. The officer also says that he asked him to get out of the car, to which Hollins refused.
As we already know, anytime you resist an officer’s request, even if you are in the right, sh*t goes all the way left.
From there Bongiovanni punches and tasers Hollins. After that McDonald came on the scene and stomped him in the face.
Gwinett County PD has responded by terminating both officers for their conduct, in addition to leaving these details out of their reports.
“The revelations uncovered in this entire investigation are shocking,” police department spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said in a news release. “We are fortunate that this second video was found and we were able to move swiftly to terminate the supervisor who lied and stepped outside his training and state law.”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Hollins was still charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and obstruction of a police officer as well as several traffic citations, including driving on a suspended or revoked license, operating a vehicle with suspended or revoked registration, failure to signal and “brake lights required.”
Criminal investigations have been launched into the officers actions. Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said he “anticipated” there being criminal charges filed against them.
