George Floyd protests: Fury erupts after Buffalo PD push elderly man to ground and claim he 'tripped and fell'
The death of George Floyd has left the country in a state of unrest as massive protests are being held across all major cities. On Thursday, a protestor suffered a severe injury on the head as Buffalo Police were in charge of clearing the crowd in Niagara Square after the 8 pm curfew.
A viral video surfaced on Twitter after WBFO tweeted, "Just about an hour ago, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic). Video from: @MikeDesmondWBFO." The 39-second clip shows how Buffalo Police Department officers pushed an elderly man and he fell on the ground. Shockingly, he started bleeding and when one officer tried to lean down to help him up, he was shoved away by another. WBEN reported that emergency medical attention was administered to the victim, who was conscious and visibly bleeding. Later, it was reported that a National Guard helped the victim as Buffalo PD officers shuffled past.
The video is being slammed as "grotesque" and "abhorrent" online. Many Twitter users have identified the officer as Aaron Torgalski. "Officer's name is A. Torgalski," one tweet read and another said, "Close up of police name who injured the senior. Initials A.T. " Another one posted, "Okay - the Buffalo Police Commissioner is Byron C. Lockwood. You've got this officer on tape (and all the other ones just walking by). Take responsibility for this."
Condemning the video, several Twitter users slammed the Buffalo PD officers. "This is grotesque. Buffalo PD officers in Niagara Square push an elderly man on the floor and he starts bleeding from the back of his head from the impact of the fall. Abhorrent," one said and another posted, "This is so difficult to watch but I urge you to if you can. An elderly man pushed over by Buffalo PD...he's bleeding. An officer leans down and is told to move on by another officer. Then the Buffalo PD tells the media that the man tripped...which is a clear lie." One said, "Imagine the lack of humanity to shove an old man, hear his head crack, see blood coming from his ears on the ground and just walk away and shrug. That cop should be fired ASAP!! Don’t even say the man came up to them. No call for that!"
In a statement released following the incident, Buffalo Police said: "Today's protest activity in Niagara Square has ended." They said, "Four people were arrested on disorderly charges for blocking traffic in the square and a fifth person was arrested during a skirmish with other protestors and also charged with disorderly conduct. During that skirmish involving protestors, one person was injured when he tripped & fell."
No sooner did that statement emerge on social media, people couldn't be more repulsed. "Can’t unsee that video of the Buffalo PD. Completely unconscionable. Literally disgusted by it. And enraged that they said he 'tripped and fell'. Shameful stuff," one posted and another wrote, "Buffalo PD said the man that they pushed tripped & fell when it's clear as day on video what happened. Straight-up liars." Moreover, one user went on to say, "Every single officer who just walked right by him needs to lose their job as well. It’s very clear he was in desperate need of immediate help and not one of them stopped."
According to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, the man is at ECMC in stable condition. He tweeted: "I've seen videos of the incident in front of Buffalo's City Hall in which an older protester appears to have been shoved by police, fell backwards and suffered a serious head injury. It sickens me. I've confirmed he is at ECMC in stable condition. My thoughts are with him now." If reports from Seven Eyewitness News is to be believed, Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood has ordered the suspension of the officers involved in the incident.
Utterly disgraceful, says Cuomo
The incident has been shamed on the Internet, following which, the Buffalo Police Department suspended two officers without pay and began an Internal Affairs investigation, according to a police official and a department spokesman. "This incident is wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter. "I've spoken with Buffalo @MayorByronBrown and we agree that the officers involved should be immediately suspended pending a formal investigation. Police officers must enforce – NOT ABUSE – the law," he added.
State Attorney General Letitia James tweeted: "Thank you. Please report it, but please also know that we are aware of this video."
In a written statement, Mayor Byron Brown called the video "deeply disturbing" and "disheartening" and said the man was in serious but stable condition at Erie County Medical Center. "I hope to continue to build on the progress we have achieved as we work together to address racial injustice and inequity in the City of Buffalo. My thoughts are with the victim tonight," Brown said.