• U.S.

Texas Teen Says Cops in Pool Party Fracas Were Driven by Race

2 minute read

A Texas teen says she believes the police officer who got violent with a teenage girl at a Dallas area pool party over the weekend was driven by racial prejudice.

Jahda Bakari, 13, recorded the now widely-watched video of a white police officer dragging a young black girl in a bikini by her hair and sitting on her back during an arrest. At one point the officer can be seen pulling his gun on a group of teens that attempted to intervene.

“I honestly believe it was about race because mostly they did nothing to the Caucasians,” Bakari said, according to CBS News.

Police were reportedly responding to calls about kids at the Craig Ranch North Community Pool in McKinney, Texas. The community is mostly white, but a lot of the kids at the pool party were black. According to the McKinney Police Department, the officers said they “encountered a large crowd that refused to comply with police commands.”

Bakari said she believed the officer, who is now on administrative leave, was going to hurt someone.

The video of the violent encounter led local officials to launch an investigation into the officers’ response, and one officer has been placed on administrative leave.

[CBS]

See Protests Against Police Violence Across the U.S. After Freddie Gray's Death

Demonstrators march to protest the death of Freddie Gray, in Philadelphia on April 30, 2015.
Demonstrators march to protest the death of Freddie Gray, in Philadelphia on April 30, 2015.Mark Makela—Getty Images
Demonstrators march in Baltimore on April 29, 2015.
Demonstrators march in Baltimore on April 29, 2015. Eric Thayer—Reuters
New York Police Department officers detain a protester during a march through the Manhattan borough of New York City on April 29, 2015.
New York Police Department officers detain a protester during a march through the Manhattan borough of New York City on April 29, 2015.Lucas Jackson—Reuters
People march in protest against police violence in Boston on April 29, 2015.
People march in protest against police violence in Boston on April 29, 2015. Brian Snyder—Reuters
Protestors hold signs during a protest to support the rallies in Baltimore, in front of the White House in Washington on April 29, 2015.
Protestors hold signs during a protest to support the rallies in Baltimore, in front of the White House in Washington on April 29, 2015.Alex Brandon—AP
A small but loud group shouts at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, protesting the governor's decision to send New Jersey state troopers to Baltimore, in New Brunswick, N.J. on April 29, 2015.
A small but loud group shouts at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, protesting the governor's decision to send New Jersey state troopers to Baltimore, in New Brunswick, N.J. on April 29, 2015. Mel Evans—AP
Protestors and activits hold a rally in front of Chicago Police Headquarters in Chicago on April 28, 2015.
Protestors and activits hold a rally in front of Chicago Police Headquarters in Chicago on April 28, 2015.Rick Majewski—Sipa USA
Cinnamon Burton and Skye Johnson join protesters, in solidarity with Baltimore, marching in front of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. on April 29, 2015.
Cinnamon Burton and Skye Johnson join protesters, in solidarity with Baltimore, marching in front of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. on April 29, 2015. Jim Thompson—Zuma Press
A demonstrator is arrested by NYPD officers during a protest at Union Square in New York City on April 29, 2015.
A demonstrator is arrested by NYPD officers during a protest at Union Square in New York City on April 29, 2015.Eduardo Munoz Alvarez—AFP/Getty Images
New York City police escort a woman off the street and back onto the sidewalk where she was released during a protest in New York City on April 29, 2015.
New York City police escort a woman off the street and back onto the sidewalk where she was released during a protest in New York City on April 29, 2015.Julie Jacobson—AP
Protestors and activits hold a rally in front of Chicago Police Headquarters to show support for Baltimore in Chicago on April 28, 2015.
Protestors and activits hold a rally in front of Chicago Police Headquarters to show support for Baltimore in Chicago on April 28, 2015.Rick Majewski—Sipa USA

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