A Daytona Beach Police Department officer has been placed on administrative duty as authorities investigate a viral body‑worn camera video that appears to show him repeatedly striking a handcuffed man during an arrest.
The footage has sparked local outrage, questions from civil rights advocates, and a review by prosecutors and police leadership.
According to local officials and released footage, the incident began shortly after midnight near Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and Green Street, when officers encountered 27‑year‑old David Anderson, a Tennessee resident, holding an open container of alcohol in violation of Daytona Beach’s ordinance.
Police say the officer instructed Anderson to discard the alcohol or face arrest, and the suspect handed over his bottle, which the officer then emptied. When Anderson allegedly tossed the bottle’s cork on the ground and turned away, officers moved to detain him.
Bodycam footage and bystander videos shared on social media show the man being tackled to the pavement by multiple officers and placed in handcuffs. What followed, however, ignited controversy: in both the department‑released bodycam and unaffiliated clips online, an officer appears to punch the restrained Anderson several times while he is on the ground, even after being cuffed. Bystanders nearby can be heard reacting with alarm.
In the official police report, the punches were described as “distraction Ary blows,” and authorities claimed that Anderson resisted arrest and at one point bit an officer’s wrist — assertions that are now under scrutiny as the footage continues circulating.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young described the video as “concerning” in a statement, announcing that the involved officer has been reassigned to administrative duties while an internal investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards is conducted. Young emphasized that officers are expected to demonstrate professionalism and sound judgment in every encounter.
At a community meeting hosted by local leaders including the Daytona Beach NAACP chapter and the Black Clergy Alliance, Young also confirmed that the footage has been forwarded to the Volusia County State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether criminal charges should be filed against the officer.
Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry likewise called the images in the video “troubling” and not representative of the standards expected from law enforcement in the community.
In the wake of the incident, civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced he is representing Anderson, stressing that “no one should be punched while handcuffed and already under police control,” and underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability.
Anderson was charged by police with battery on a law enforcement officer — a felony — in addition to the original open container violation, and he has since posted bond and been released.
The incident has reignited debate over police use of force, particularly in routine enforcement encounters. Community activists, legal observers, and local officials continue to closely monitor both the administrative review and the potential criminal investigation to determine whether departmental policies or the law were violated.
As Daytona Beach leaders gather feedback from residents and law enforcement advocates alike, officials say they aim to strike a balance between public safety and civil liberties — even as footage like this continues to draw national attention.