NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Authorities said new video shows a 16-year-old trying to set a fire on a Bronx street during unrest earlier this month, raising new questions after the teen’s family said he was a bystander and released graphic photos of him hospitalized following his arrest by the NYPD.
A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that the video shows Jahmel Leach trying to light garbage on fire amid looting and vandalism on East Fordham Road back on June 1.
The sources said the video shows officers pull up and use a taser on Leach as he tries to run away, causing him to fall to the ground face first. The video then shows an officer hitting Leach with a baton twice—once on the lower back and once on the leg, the sources said.
Leach was charged with fifth-degree arson, a misdemeanor, over the incident, but Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark's office isn’t prosecuting the criminal case, according to ABC News, which reported the case is expected to be heard in family court.
An NYPD official told ABC News that officers first saw Leach leaving a vandalized T-Mobile store but that he wasn’t in possession of any property.
The official said NYPD body camera footage also shows Leach trying to light the garbage on fire.
Sources told ABC News the teen can be heard saying “I didn't set the fire” and “They made me do it” in the bodycam footage.
The NYPD has said the actions of the officers are under internal review, while Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark's office is reportedly investigating allegations of misconduct.
Leach’s family has maintained that the teen was only watching and not taking part in criminal activity on June 1. They said he had never been arrested before and that the NYPD didn’t notify them as they’re supposed to do in cases when a minor is arrested.
The family held a press conference Thursday to demand answers.
“The police department is supposed to take an oath to protect and serve, not just us—the youth,” Leach's mother, Daisy Acevedo, said.
“It is clear after what happened to Jahmel Leach at the hands of the NYPD, in addition to legislation aimed at ending police brutality, what is also needed is a change in the mentality of police officers in this city who believe they can brutally treat victims like they did this 16-year-old and they will not be held accountable for their wrongful acts," said Sanford Rubenstein, an attorney for Leach.
Asked about the video at his daily briefing Friday, Mayor Bill de Blasio, who previously retweeted the graphic photos of Leach hospitalized following his arrest, said “I have not seen the video.”
“I will make it a point to see it. But I, more importantly, have met this young man and I feel for him, want to see what the truth is and what it tells us we need to do next,” the mayor said.
In a tweet Wednesday, de Blasio wrote: “I’ve spoken to Jahmel’s family and I’m really troubled by what they told me. We’re going to get them answers.”
Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza also tweeted that he was “horrified” by the arrest.
“The New York City Department of Education condemns police brutality and any brutal acts by those whose duty is to serve and protect our communities,” he wrote.