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Who is Terrance Devon Reed? Black teen choked, pinned to ground and punched by Florida deputy in shocking video

The 17-year-old was taken to the hospital after he was physically manhandled and assaulted by Sarasota County Deputy Neil Pizzo

SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA: A Florida deputy has been placed on leave after police footage showed him grabbing a 17-year-old by the neck and throwing him to the ground. Terrance Devon Reed III was taken to the hospital after he was physically manhandled and assaulted by Sarasota County Deputy Neil Pizzo. Pizzo was seen hitting the teen in the face while at the Sarasota County Juvenile Assessment Center on Tuesday, September 1.

The video footage shows Pizzo pinning the Black teenager onto the ground for at least a minute. It is reported that Reed had become uncooperative while being held on charges related to contempt of court, probation violations, possession of cocaine, and selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church.

During the confrontation, Reed had cuts on his head. Pizzo had written in a statement that he sensed that Reed was going to attack him and hence, tackled him in the way he did. However, Sheriff Tom Knight who watched the video of the incident said that Pizzo had appeared to violate policy. Knight revealed, "We slowed the frames down and looked at it and I said, ‘we’ve got a problem.' It appears we have a violation of policy, and we relieved him of his ability to go to work."

Many social media users have reacted in anger and outrage at Pizzo's behavior and took to commenting on the same. One such user had written, "Sarasota deputy placed on leave after video shows him choke, pin Black teen at juvenile center: No Trust, nothing is going to be Fixed in this country until law is changed and police DO NOT have the right to HIT anyone, they should call for back up and make arrest."

Another user had commented and said, "Sarasota Sheriff’s deputy grabs jailed Black teenager by throat, sends him to hospital… Men like this give all police officers a bad name. Clearly, they have serious, serious issues. They should not be permitted to serve. Psychological testing is needed."

"These officers seem like such cowards! 5 big and talk to handle one spindly guy? and immediate beating... and this is the force that is supposed to b protecting us? a bunch of overgrown bullies?" commented another social media user.

In the video, Reed can be seen sitting on a bench and is moving his arms under a red t-shirt while Pizzo points at him from across the room. Pizzo then approaches Reed who stands up from the bench. He then puts his gloved hands on Reed's neck and pushes him to the wall. As the teen struggles and tries to reach back, Pizzo pulls on his t-shirt and tosses him to the ground. He then climbs on Reed while another deputy Earl Matthews approaches and holds onto Reed's legs. Before Reed is handcuffed, Pizzo had slapped him at least three times.

Reed is then walked out of the holding room and into a holding cell. As per reports, Reed was eventually taken to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital and treated for the cuts he had received on his head during the altercation.