CHARLOTTESVILLE (WRIC) — Following the violent arrest of a black male University of Virginia student outside a Charlottesville pub, Gov. Terry McAullife joins numerous social media users who are “concerned” about the incident.PHOTO SLIDE SHOW: http://interactives.lintvnews.com/photomojo/gallery/18391/1
Several Twitter users tweeted a photo of University of Virginia student Martese Johnson pinned on the ground by officers, his face bloodied.
A group identifying themselves as “Concerned Black Students” sent an email to UVA students and staff, which reads in part:
“Outside of the doors of Trinity Irish Pub, a mass of University students bore witness to the officer’s animalistic, insensitive, and brute handling of Martese. He was left with his blood splattered on the pavement of University Avenue.”
Just spoke w/Governors office. We are on it.. RT @mademanmayn: “@EtaSigmaNUPES: #JusticeForMartese pic.twitter.com/56iZVDM0FO“@WesBellamy
– Wes Bellamy, M.Ed (@WesBellamy) March 18, 2015
The letter requests asks for a “swift and thorough investigation on the state, local and University levels.” Charlottesville General District Court records show that Martese Johnson is charged with obstruction of justice without force and public swearing or intoxication. The Alcoholic Beverage Control agent who made the arrest, listed in court records as J. Miller, said in the arrest report that Johnson “was very agitated and belligerent.”
A statement released by Virginia ABC stated that,”‘The uniformed ABC agents observed and approached the individual after he was refused entry to a licensed establishment. A determination was made by the agents to further detain the individual based on their observations and further questioning.
“In the course of an arrest being made, the arrested individual sustained injuries. The individual received treatment for his injuries at a local hospital and was released.”
Governor Terry McAuliffe’s office issued a statement about the incident, asking for Virginia State Police to investigate:
Gov. McAuliffe has requested an independent State Police investigation of ABC arrest last night in Cville in which a student was injured.
– Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) March 18, 2015
“Governor McAuliffe is concerned by the reports of this incident and has asked the Secretary of Public Safety to initiate an independent Virginia State Police investigation into the use of force in this matter. The Governor’s office has been in contact with University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan and local law enforcement and will continue to monitor this situation closely as the investigation proceeds.”
A rally is planned tonight at Clark Library in support of Martese Johnson. 8News Reporter Parker Slaybaugh will be there; watch 8News at 11 for updates on this developing story.