Buffalo PD scandal: People thank National Guard after they help elderly man shoved to the ground by police
In the wake of George Floyd's death, the country is reeling with massive protests and in a disheartening incident, an elderly protester 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," and sparked national attention as people shamed the incident and labeled it as "disgusting" and "grotesque". Shockingly, Buffalo Police said in a statement that during the skirmish involving protestors, "One person was injured when he tripped & fell."
The video has been viewed by thousands of people and they noticed how Buffalo PD officers walked past the man and the only one who helped him was the National Guard. "Not one member of Buffalo PD helped an unconscious man bleeding from his ears. They all just shuffled by. No concern, no urgency. It was a member of the National Guard who went to him. This is horrifying," one tweet read and another said, "Buffalo PD officer Aaron Torgalski & his supervisors said this senior citizen 'tripped and fell'. If we didn't see this video we wouldn't know the truth. The police should be honest & say 'we cracked his skull open, left him bleeding & for dead until the national guard checked'."
"Mostly the reaction to the Buffalo PD is "fire Officer Torgalski," but I see a 2nd cop shoving, a 3rd cop instigating, and a dozen cops ignoring. Only the NATIONAL GUARD kneels and sees to the man. These are angry demons picking fights in an inescapable nightmare. Clean. House," one noted and another said, "One police officer wanted to stop, but the other one pushed him away. I saw the National Guard stop to help him. #FireTheCop that pushed him. Also, watch the tape @BuffaloPD."
"This is vile. Important to note that the National Guard is not part of the Armed Forces. It does appear that someone from the Guard may have kneeled down to help. This is solely on the Buffalo PD," one tweeted and another said, "Crazy idea. Have the National Guard act as the police's police. They can detain the countless number of cops abusing & killing peaceful protestors so they're held accountable and prosecuted. W/o video evidence, they continue to lie just like the Buffalo PD suspension situation."
Labeling the officers as "f**king clowns," one said, "So y'all just going to push this man to the ground, visibly see blood coming out of his head, and just walk by? At least the National Guard had the decency to render aid to him after 15 or so Buffalo PD look directly at him. @BPDAlerts. F**king clowns," and another posted about how only the national guard helped them. "The first two National Guard soldiers you see in the video are the ones who actually stop to help. All the Buffalo PD just walk by. Am I wrong or does there seem to be more discipline and accountability with National Guard?" the tweet read.
It is incredibly demoralizing to see the graphic video going viral on the Internet and people are demanding answers from the police officers. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Police Department suspended two officers without pay and began an Internal Affairs investigation, according to a police official and a department spokesman. Gov. Andrew Cuomo called it "utterly disgraceful" and Mayor Byron Brown called the video "deeply disturbing".