Officer fired after video shows him repeatedly punching woman during arrest
A North Carolina police officer has been fired after viral doorbell camera video shows him repeatedly punching a woman during an arrest, sparking protests on Friday.
The firing came after the Shelby Police Department completed an administrative investigation into the incident, Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser announced Saturday.
The officer, whose name officials have not released, had previously been placed on administrative suspension.
The findings of the investigation have also been turned over to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for an independent review of any criminal violations, the chief said.
"While this incident does not reflect the values of the Shelby Police Department, it does reinforce the importance of holding ourselves to the highest standards of conduct," Fraser said.
Fraser called the actions of the officer "disturbing and inappropriate."
"I want to be clear that the inappropriate use of force is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by me, the Shelby Police Department or the City of Shelby," Fraser added.
Officers were conducting a criminal investigation on Friday when they encountered a "suspicious female in the area," Fraser said.
The doorbell video appears to show an officer repeatedly punching a woman, identified as 34-year-old Cherrie Moore, during an arrest before another officer appears to intervene. It is unclear what happened before the video.
Moore's family is calling for the officer to be charged.
"We just want the right thing done, and I think the first right thing is that he be charged," Moore's uncle, Michael Moore, told ABC News. "Once he's charged, then we can move forward."
"We're really hurting here," Michael Moore said.
Moore's father, Gregory Moore, told ABC News that the video of his daughter being punched was difficult to watch.
"She was calling my name and I wasn't there for her to protect her. So you know how that made me feel. That made me feel so bad," Gregory Moore said.
Cherrie Moore was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering, resisting arrest, and assault on a government official. Those charges were dropped.
Shelby City Manager Justin Merritt thanked the chief and officers for the investigation into the incident.
"While yesterday’s incident is still raw and difficult to understand, today marks the beginning of a path forward to repair the damage that has been done," Merritt said Saturday.
