CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A video shows a police officer allow his K9 to attack a Black suspect who was surrendering with his hands in the air following a traffic pursuit, despite repeated orders from State Highway Patrol troopers to hold the dog back, reports say.
The incident on the Fourth of July in Circleville has led to an investigation as to why the officer allowed the K9 to attack Jadarrius Rose, 23, following a “lengthy” pursuit involving a tractor-trailer, Reuters reports.
According to NBC News, the chase started Ohio 35 when Rose refused to stop his tractor-trailer for a Motor Carrier Enforcement inspector. The tractor-trailer rose was driving was missing a mudflap, reports say.
State Highway Patrol troopers were called in to help and stop-sticks were used twice on Ohio 23 to end the chase, NBC News reports. Authorities say Rose initially refused to get out of the truck. He eventually got out of the driver’s side door, but then ignore orders to get on the ground, reports say.
Video from a body camera shows an officer with the Circleville Police Department holding back the K9 as troopers yell for Rose to get on the ground with his hands up. Rose eventually does get on his knees with his hands in the air.
A trooper then can be heard repeatedly yelling at the Circleville officer “Do not release the dog with his hands up!” However, the officer lets the dog go and it can be seen in the video attacking Rose. The trooper can be heard yelling repeatedly, “Get the dog off of him!” Rose also can be heard screaming in pain and yelling “Get it off of me!”
ABC News reports Rose was taken to a hospital for dog bites before being charged with failure to comply. Authorities say it remains unclear why he refused to stop for the inspector and troopers.
Meanwhile, NBC News reports that it’s unknown why the Circleville officer let the dog attack Rose and whether the officer has been disciplined by the department. A representative with the police union tells WSYX Channel 6 that “everyone reserve judgement until that time” during the investigation into the incident.
But Nana Watson, president of the NAACP Columbus chapter, says the video was disturbing.
“I was traumatized because it brought back memories from the 1960s,” Watson tells WSYX. “I was afraid for him. I was fearful for him. I was taken aback when he had his hands up and they unleashed the dog on him.”