Last month a video from Shortridge high school went viral because it appeared to show an officer punching a student. Authorities now believe they have enough evidence to charge the officer for his role in the altercation.
IMPD Officers responded to Shortridge High School last month to assist following a large fight inside the school. One of the students who was supposedly involved in the fight, and his aunt, got into a verbal altercation with one of the responding officers, Robert Lawson. The video appears to show Lawson punching the student in the face as he stood in front of him.
Lawson’s report claimed he used force because he was afraid of the student and another officer had allegedly told him the student swung at him first. However, information from officials, video evidence, and witnesses testimony contradict Lawson’s account. It’s worth noting that although the main video the public has seen was used, officials reviewed additional video sources of the incident as well.
Lawson is being charged with battery for the strike but is also being charged with obstruction of justice for alleged false statements.
Read more here. (WFYI)
Watch the video below: