One Prince George’s County police officer has been suspended and at least two others will likely be fired after video surfaced showing them beating a University of Maryland student during a basketball celebration last month, police Chief Roberto Hylton said.
Police said they are trying to determine the identities of the officers involved and will move quickly to remove them from the force once they’re known. John McKenna, the 21-year-old student shown being beaten in a video, was arrested on charges that he attacked police. But his attorney says police lied in charging documents and should be prosecuted.
The incident occurred March 3 in College Park following the Maryland men’s basketball victory over fourth-ranked Duke. Police arrested 28 people during the celebration that followed the victory, saying students were rioting in the streets. But students claim police officers overreacted to the crowd by acting violently.
– Freeman Klopott
