Video recorded at the scene of a grand theft auto arrest in San Fernando on Sunday showed a Los Angeles Police officer punching a suspect in custody.
The suspect in question was apprehended and arrested after fleeing on foot from a crashed, allegedly stolen vehicle at the intersection of Hubbard and Second Streets.
As the suspect was transported from a police vehicle into an ambulance, he reportedly taunted and spat on LAPD officers and attending Los Angeles Fire Department personnel. It was at this point that an unmasked officer approached the suspect and appeared to strike him in the face.
"Don't do that [expletive] again to any officer," the officer said.
Colleagues pulled the officer away from the suspect, who appeared to lose consciousness as a result of the blow, though that is unconfirmed at this time.
LAPD Chief Michael Moore said in a statement, "The images in the video are deeply disturbing and while we must wait for the investigation to be completed, the Department will act swiftly in any instance of excessive or unnecessary force."