Two Phoenix police officers have been recommended for prosecution after a video emerged of them stomping a suspect’s head during his arrest.
On Dec. 7, the Phoenix Police Department indicted officers Eddie Becerra and Nicholas Beck and recommended that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office charge them for aggravated assault.
Becerra faces one count of aggravated assault (assault while restrained, a class 6 felony), one count of aggravated assault (firearm, a class 3 felony), and one count of assault (class 1 misdemeanor).
Beck faces one count of aggravated assault (firearm, class 3 felony, and one count of assault, a class 1 misdemeanor.
The initial incident took place on October 27 at a QuickTrip outlet near 59th Avenue and Buckeye Road.
According to police, 38-year-old Harry Denman was speaking with the officers in the parking lot when the officers started to leave to respond to a call.
As they were backing out of a spot, Denman pulled out a handgun and allegedly fired twice at the vehicle. One bullet hit the ground, and the other hit the vehicle’s spotlight, according to police.
Denman then ran into the QT, while still armed, and officers followed.
Video taken by a citizen then shows Denman being taken into custody. As the man is dropping to the ground with his hands up, one officer forces him down and he hits his head on a cabinet. Both officers hit the man in the back of the head with their gun barrels. After the man is handcuffed, he is kicked again.
An officer was heard saying, “Stupid f***… what’s your f***ing problem?” Then moments later, “I’m going to blow your f***ing head off.”
The suspect was transported to an area hospital before being booked into jail. A judge set a $5,000 bond for Denman.
Denman suffered injuries during the altercation and was hospitalized and then booked into jail on several charges.
Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan in a statement said:
“At the time the incident occurred I promised a complete and thorough investigation. That investigation has been completed and has been turned over to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office with the recommendation for charges.
Police officers must be held to a high standard of excellence and when we fall short, must be held accountable. I have confidence in the legal process and will allow it to play out in an unbiased manner.
See the video of the incident here.
