Body Digital camera Video Reveals Virginia Deputies Slammed 77-12 months-Previous Man Into Truck, Tackled Him – NBC4 Washington

Newly launched physique digicam video reveals deputies in Warren County, Virginia, slammed a 77-year-old man right into a pickup truck and tackled him to the bottom. He died 13 days later.

The Warren County Sheriff's Workplace initially said Ralph Ennis had fallen over the trailer hitch of his truck and hit his head during the arrest on April 2 exterior a 7-Eleven near Entrance Royal. Deputies had pulled him over for driving erratically and speeding, authorities stated.

The sheriff's workplace stated Ennis had non-life threatening injuries after the autumn.

However, body digicam video from a Front Royal police officer who was on the scene exhibits a Warren County deputy run toward Ennis, who gave the impression to be stumbling round. The deputy then grabs Ennis and slams him face-forward into the back of Ennis' red pickup truck, which had a camper top attached. Then, he and one other deputy seem to sort out Ennis to the bottom.

"Get on the ground!" one deputy is heard yelling.

In the course of the tackle, Ennis and the deputies seem to trip over the truck's trailer hitch.

The Front Royal officer might be heard saying within the body digital camera video, "That was … unjust and … un[expletive] known as for."

Medics took Ennis to a hospital. Ennis’ spouse Linda Ennis mentioned doctors informed her he had a brain bleed. He died on April 15.

She mentioned the physique digital camera video showed a special situation than what the sheriff's office had beforehand advised her.

"It was very difficult to watch. I wish that I hadn't watched it now," she mentioned.

Linda Ennis mentioned her late husband had not too long ago begun struggling with dementia and was the topic of a Silver Alert in mid-March.

Warren County Sheriff Mark Butler told News4 he stands by the preliminary assertion his office released.

The Front Royal officer's report said, nonetheless, the deputy "jerked the male around" and "slammed the male into the camper high face first."

"It was way overkill. Simply - none of that was vital," Linda Ennis stated.

The health worker has not released Ennis' reason for death.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned deputies began following Ralph Ennis that morning as a result of he was going 63 in a 55 and driving erratically. The sheriff's office stated he didn’t come to stop until about 4 miles.

Ennis followed commands to get out of the truck, but then refused orders to drop his keys and put his arms behind his back, the sheriff's office stated.

Virginia State Police are investigating the arrest.