Body Digicam Video Reveals Virginia Deputies Slammed 77-Year-Previous Man Into Truck, Tackled Him – NBC4 Washington

Newly released body 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 originally 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 Front Royal. Deputies had pulled him over for driving erratically and speeding, authorities stated.

The sheriff's office stated Ennis had non-life threatening accidents after the autumn.

Nonetheless, physique camera video from a Front Royal police officer who was at the scene exhibits a Warren County deputy run toward Ennis, who seemed to be stumbling round. The deputy then grabs Ennis and slams him face-forward into the again of Ennis' purple pickup truck, which had a camper high hooked up. Then, he and one other deputy appear to deal with Ennis to the ground.

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

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

The Front Royal officer could be heard saying within the physique digital camera video, "That was … unjust and … un[expletive] called for."

Medics took Ennis to a hospital. Ennis’ wife Linda Ennis mentioned medical doctors advised her he had a mind bleed. He died on April 15.

She mentioned the body camera video showed a different situation than what the sheriff's workplace had previously instructed her.

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

Linda Ennis said 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 advised News4 he stands by the preliminary statement his office released.

The Front Royal officer's report mentioned, nevertheless, the deputy "jerked the male around" and "slammed the male into the camper top face first."

"It was method overkill. Just - none of that was crucial," Linda Ennis mentioned.

The health worker has not launched Ennis' explanation for death.

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

Ennis followed commands to get out of the truck, however then refused orders to drop his keys and put his hands behind his again, the sheriff's office mentioned.

Virginia State Police are investigating the arrest.