Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley was arrested after an altercation with South Florida police that ended with the two-time medalist hit with a stun gun, officials said Friday.
Kerley, 29, was speaking with officers at 11:22 p.m. on Thursday near 100 9th St. “about his vehicle parked nearby” when his “demeanor became increasingly aggressive,” according to a statement by Miami Beach police.
After Kerley was “asked to leave the area,” he refused and “assumed a fighting stance,” police continued. When officers tried to arrest Kerley, he allegedly resisted and “a dart-firing stun gun was effectively deployed,” police said.
In 7 1/2 minutes of body-camera video released by police, Kerley is seen in a gray hoodie standing next to a police vehicle talking to officers. It’s unclear what is being said as there’s no audio in the first 30 seconds of video.
The person wearing the camera approaches Kerley and places their hand on Kerley’s chest and then his wrist, touching off the scuffle.
At least four officers appear to struggle with Kerley as they try to restrain him, footage showed.
Finally, one of the officers pulls out a stun gun with a distinctive yellow handle and fires into Kerley’s back, bringing him down instantly.
“I’m not resisting, I got handcuffs on!” Kerley said.
Throughout the video, he accused officers of wrongdoing and told them they’d be going to jail.
Kerley didn’t obviously or immediately identify himself as an Olympic sprinter. But at one point he told arresting officers: “Bro get off my legs, I need my f—ing legs.”
Kerley was booked into custody on suspicion of battery of a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. He was released on his on recognizance.
Kerley took silver in the 100-meter sprint in Tokyo 2021 and then bronze in that same race this past summer in Paris.
A representative for Kerley could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
