SAN DIEGO — Content warning: The video below contains images that some viewers may find disturbing.
San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit on Wednesday addressed a video that shows an arrest made in Chula Vista on Tuesday after witnesses alleged it showed police brutality by the department.
The suspect, Trenelle Cannon, was being stopped for a warrant while someone else was driving the car he was traveling in, according to Cannon's girlfriend Shakira Smith.
Cell phone video by Smith shows the incident which she described as police brutality by the arresting officers. She said her boyfriend was unarmed when officers brutalized him.
Smith said she will be filing a police brutality report with SDPD.
On Wednesday, Chief Nisleit said he wanted to address the public's concerns over the video after it was circulated on social media. He also said he wanted to provide context for what the video shows. Nisleit went on to say 20-year-old Cannon was arrested by SDPD officers Tuesday on outstanding warrants for felony possession of a firearm and robbery.
“Detectives and officers were conducting surveillance of Cannon in the area of 600 E Street in Chula Vista related to his active felony warrants,” said Nisleit.
He said the detectives requested uniformed officers place Cannon under arrest. Nisleit said officers responded to the location and ordered the suspect to surrender.
“However, he refused and ran from the officers,” said Nisleit.
Officers then gave chase, according to the chief, and lost sight of Cannon briefly but recovered a loaded firearm believed to be his.
Cannon was then located in the area of 1100 Fourth Avenue in Chula Vista where he was observed getting into a car with four other people that headed towards Interstate 5, according to Nisleit. Officers conducted a traffic stop at that time and Cannon exited the vehicle lunged and tackled an officer to the ground, according to police.
“Believing Cannon possibly had another weapon, responding officers used a combination of physical force and distraction strikes to take him into custody while continuously giving him orders to surrender,” said Nisleit.
The chief said it took several officers to restrain and place Cannon in handcuffs. Nisleit emphasized that once the suspect was restrained and “no longer a threat to officers no additional force was used.”
Nisleit said Internal Affairs will conduct an administrative investigation to determine if officers and detectives complied with department policy on the use of force.
The chief said officers and Cannon suffered minor injuries. He also said the investigation into Cannon is ongoing and additional charges may be filed. Cannon is scheduled for arraignment Thursday in Chula Vista.
News 8's Marcella Lee shared video of body-worn cameras provided by SDPD:
Smith said the stop was made by the San Diego Police Department’s gang suppression unit with the assistance of Chula Vista Police Department.
The CVPD posted on Facebook Tuesday morning saying the incident involved SDPD and that their officers were not involved in the arrest.
Family and their supporters during a press conference Wednesday night called on an independent investigation at the state level, and also asked to see all of the body camera video that was shot.
Cannon's girlfriend, Smith, said, “this was one of the most traumatizing experiences of my entire life. Officers dog piled him.”
His mother Leticia Bates said tearfully, “I want justice for my son. No one should have to go through this. They [the police] need to be held accountable.”
WATCH BELOW: Suspect’s girlfriend alleges police brutality in his arrest. News conference at SDPD starting now.
