Source: David Kozlowski / Getty
Police in Warsaw, N.C. are investigating a viral video clip of an officer putting a Black man in a chokehold at a local Waffle House on Saturday (May 5). According to ABC 11, Anthony Wall, 22, had just dropped his 16-year-old sister off at her high school prom before stopping by the chain restaurant for something to eat. An argument ensued with wait staff, prompting the police to be called to remove Wall from the restaurant. Wall was reportedly choked and slammed before being placed in cuffs.
“I was pretty much trying to scream for air and trying to breathe because he was holding my throat and that’s when I got aggressive with him because you are choking me,” Wall told ABC. While he “takes full responsibility” for the moments leading up to the police call, Wall also feels the cops were not justified in how they handled the situation.
“Your hands should have never been around my neck like that if my hands were in the air,” he added.
A statement issued to ABC 11 by Police Chief Eric Southerland reads:
“We are currently investigating the whole incident, interviewing witnesses and gathering additional video. We have also reached out to the District Attorney’s Office to make him aware of the investigation. Once the investigation is complete and the District Attorney has had a chance to review the case we will provide the public with an update on the findings.”
The incident joins a list of recent Waffle House headlines. On April 22, four people—including 21-year-old DeEbony Groves—lost their lives when a gunman opened fire at a local Waffle House in Nashville. That same day in Alabama around 2:45 a.m., 25-year-old Chikesia Clemons was tackled, threatened, and indecently exposed by cops at a Saraland, Ala. Waffle House over $0.50 utensils. A petition has since received nearly 5,000 signatures to receive justice for the 25-year-old.
