US sprinter and two-time Olympic medalist, Fred Kerley was arrested in South Florida on Thursday night (local time) after a confrontation with police, according to authorities. Miami Beach police released body camera footage showing Kerley arguing with officers on Thursday night before a physical altercation occurred. Police said that Kerley was wrestled to the ground, struck by an officer, and then subdued with a Taser.
An arrest report says officers were handling an unrelated police matter when Kerley tried to reach his vehicle, which was parked nearby. Police instructed him to take another route, but Kerley argued, leading to a confrontation.
Police said four officers attempted to arrest Kerley while he tried to resist. After being stunned with a Taser, Kerley was taken to a hospital and later transferred to the Miami-Dade County jail.
Yale M Sanford, a lawyer representing Kerley in this week’s arrest, said the police were in the wrong because a simple conversation with Kerley could have de-escalated the situation.
“It’s an overstep and, you can even say, an unreasonable use of force that could have been avoided,” Sanford was quoted as saying by The New York Times.
Kerley is facing charges of battery, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct.
Kerley won a silver medal in the 100 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze medal for the same event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He has also won six medals at the World Athletics Championships.
