Leaders in Rock Hill call for unity after arrests led to protests

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill community has been deeply divided since the arrests of Ricky and Travis Price on June 23.

The arrests, which were captured by a bystander on Facebook Live, showed the brothers being wrestled to the ground. One was being punched repeatedly by a police officer.

Ricky Price faces drug and gun charges, while his brother is accused of hindering police by interfering with his arrest.

[RELATED: SLED to investigate after arrest of 2 brothers in Rock Hill sparks protests]

Earlier this week, video from the gas station on Willowbrook Avenue where the incident happened was released by Travis Price’s lawyers. It appears to show Travis Price complying with officer’s instructions and calmly standing by until one officer approached him and pushed him into a large tank.

On Wednesday, Rock Hill Police Chief Chris Watts and Mayor John Gettys stood with local Black leaders, including the head of the NAACP to show unity.

They said the city is in a delicate situation.

(WATCH BELOW: 8 people arrested during 2nd night of protests in Rock Hill over arrest of 2 brothers)

8 people arrested during 2nd night of protests in Rock Hill over arrest of 2 brothers

Norma Gray, president of Rock Hill’s chapter of the NAACP, talked about the struggle to find unity.

“Unity has been one of the hardest things for this community to grasp,” she said.

Gray called the video of the arrests disturbing but said she’ll wait on the legal process. However, she also said police need to act faster to release videos and information to the public.

Watts said some members of the community who often work with police have already seen police body cam videos of the incident. Price’s family members and the public have not seen those videos.

“It does not make sense to release videos that might change someone’s memory of their view at the scene, and that’s why they’re being withheld,” Gettys said.

The event Wednesday in Fountain Park was meant to be a show of unity, but Gray pointed out that the people who were angry and protesting last week weren’t present. She said they have to reach those people to ensure unity is a reality.

Channel 9 spoke with Solicitor Kevin Brackett on Wednesday afternoon. He asked police to hold off on releasing body cam videos until the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division had a chance to interview everyone at the scene of the incident.

“We want to make sure we get accurate statements about what people saw at that store, not from a video,” he said.

Brackett said he expects to be able to release all of the videos and comment on it by the end of next week.

“Considering the situation, I think that’s pretty fast,” he said.

(WATCH BELOW: Attorneys: Video shows Rock Hill police should drop charges against brother in controversial arrest)

Attorneys: Video shows Rock Hill police should drop charges against brother in controversial arrest

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