Oxford, Ohio police officer placed on administrative leave after video shows him punching Miami University football player
An Oxford, Ohio police officer has been placed on administrative leave after a video surfaced showing him punching a Miami University football player during a November arrest outside a local bar.
The student, identified as Devin Johnson, was seen entering the Brick Street bar through an exit-only gate, pushing past a female employee on November 18, according to a Facebook post by Oxford police. When the manager of the bar confronted Johnson, he was assaulted, and Johnson refused to leave the bar, resulting in an altercation outside the establishment.
“When the officer arrived at the scene, he observed the individual resisting and he was unable to complete the arrest until additional officers were able to assist in getting him into handcuffs,” the post added.
Johnson denies pushing anyone inside the bar and has disputed Oxford police’s account of what took place that night.
In a surveillance video circulating on social media, Johnson can be seen outside the bar with several other people. Johnson and one of the men are seen struggling and Johnson is pinned on the ground by at least three people before police arrive. An officer arrives on the scene as the people have Johnson on the ground. The officer can be seen attempting to hold Johnson on the ground and appears to punch him three times. They continue to hold Johnson down as another officer arrives on the scene. Both officers can be seen forcibly holding Johnson’s head, one of them pulling him by the hair at one point, before placing handcuffs on him.
Johnson’s attorney called the video “deeply disturbing” in a statement to the Miami Student earlier this week.
The officer involved in the incident, Matthew Blauvelt, is on paid administrative leave during the investigation, according to Oxford Police Chief John Jones. The City of Oxford has expressed deep concerns about the incident and has promised a fair and transparent investigation.
Miami University has also called the video “disturbing” and reached out to the student. The university has contacted the City of Oxford to learn more about the incident.
The establishment, Brick Street, where the incident took place, said in an Instagram post, “The video is disturbing, especially for Devin and family members… it does not change the fact that this portion of the video is disturbing and has evoked emotions.”
Johnson’s attorney has encouraged individuals with additional footage or information pertinent to the incident to come forward, and has called for an independent, external investigation to uphold the trust and confidence of the community and the Johnson family in the investigative process.
The case has been set for trial in February, according to court records. Johnson, a 20-year-old defensive back for the Miami RedHawks, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
CNN has reached out to police for the incident report and additional comment.