NYPD Opens Excessive Force Investigation After Video Shows Cops Beating Black Man with Batons



According to the New York Daily News, the two as-of-now-unnamed officers were investigating complaints that 36-year-old Aaron Grissom and 37-year-old Sidney Williams “were smoking and bothering people at subway station stairs” in the Washington Heights neighborhood
In video posted to Instagram, two transit cops can be seen arguing with Grissom and Williams before one of the officers takes out a retractable baton and appears to connect with Williams’ head and shoulder.
Per court documents obtained by the outlet, the NYPD alleges that Grissom swung his fist at one of the officer’s before being struck–that alleged fist admittedly never connected. Those same documents also alleged that Williams rose to his friend’s defense after the second officer started using his baton.