Officer fired, charged after body cam video shows confrontation during brothers’ arrest

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Just over two weeks after the arrests of two brothers in Rock Hill sparked protests across the city, charges have been dropped against one of the men and an officer involved in the incident has been fired.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, the solicitor’s office released two body camera videos of the arrests of Ricky and Travis Price. One of the videos was from Officer Jonathan Moreno.

City officials previously said police conducting a drug investigation on June 23 had pulled over one of the men after he made an illegal turn, and the man called his brother to say he was stopped at a gas station. Police said the driver tried to run when officers removed his handcuffs so he could take off some jewelry, and his brother bumped officers and refused to move back when ordered.

However, Brackett said Thursday that an investigation and review of newly released body camera footage show Moreno confronted the brother, who was standing near officers to receive the jewelry, and proceeded to push and eventually force him to the ground while other officers tried to get Moreno’s attention.

The June 23 incident was caught on camera by a woman broadcasting it on Facebook Live in the Valero gas station parking lot on Willowbrooke Avenue. That video shows officers taking Ricky Price to the ground and punching him after he was pulled over for reportedly making an illegal turn.

Another video from the gas station’s surveillance camera captured officers pushing Travis Price against a large tank, then taking him to the ground because they said he was interfering with them as they arrested his brother.

An attorney for the brothers has said that Travis Price showed up at the scene to pick up some of his brother’s things.

At the news conference, Solicitor Kevin Brackett said Moreno didn’t know Travis Price had permission to get jewelry from his brother Ricky Price and thought he was too close to officers. That was why the officer approached Travis Price and moved him back from the scene.

“By laying hands on him without legal cause, (Moreno) broke the law,” Brackett said.

Rock Hill Police Chief Chris Watts said Moreno violated the department’s policy by escalating the situation and has been fired. Moreno is also being charged with third-degree assault and battery over his interactions with Travis Price during the arrest.

Officials said Travis Price’s charge of hindering police has since been dropped.

“You ain’t pushing up on me,” Moreno can be heard yelling in the body camera video as he shoves the man to the ground. “Stop crying,” Moreno says later while handcuffing him.

Moreno himself appeared at the news conference to apologize to the man before leaving to be booked into the detention center.

“I’m here to be held accountable for my actions,” Moreno said. “I hope the community will accept my apology.”

Moreno said he wishes they had met on different terms.

“I just wish my emotions didn’t get the best of me,” Moreno said. “My choice of words do not define me. I sincerely apologize for what you have experienced.”

Moreno said what he did was out of his character.

Watts said police officers, “always have to de-escalate and keep our emotions in check,” which he said is the lesson from this to all other officers.

No criminal charges were filed against the officers in the arrest of Ricky Price. According to Watts, Sgt. Shaun Watson, who was also involved in the arrests, did not violate policy in his fight against Ricky Price. Watts said the K-9 officer at the scene did not bite either brother and a taser was never used.

After the confrontation, authorities found a loaded 9 mm handgun in Ricky Price’s Ford Mustang, as well as crack cocaine, two bags of marijuana and $750 in cash, according to warrants.

The Price’s attorney Justin Bamberg called on authorities to financially compensate the men and make policy changes in the police department.

“Members of the community need you, but they also need you to do the right thing, stand up for the right thing,” Bamberg said to officers in the community.

Travis Price told reporters the incident robbed him of his dignity.

“I accept the apology as a man, because everybody makes mistakes, but I’ll never be the same again,” Travis Price said.

They are considering a civil lawsuit in the case.

(WATCH BELOW: VIDEO: Body cam video of confrontation involving 2 brothers and Rock Hill police)

VIDEO: Body cam video of confrontation involving 2 brothers and Rock Hill police

The NAACP called for an investigation of the arrests and attorneys for the brothers have said the police used excessive force, punching Ricky Price in the face and breaking his nose. They also disputed claims that Travis Price was being belligerent.

The arrests and viral video led to protests outside the Rock Hill Police Department and more than a dozen arrests in the days that followed.

Rock Hill police said they wanted to release the body camera video sooner, but Solicitor Kevin Brackett told Channel 9 he wanted to make sure SLED agents could interview every witness before it was released, so people would have clear memories of what they saw.

(WATCH: Attorney says police used excessive force while arresting 2 brothers in Rock Hill)

Attorney says police used excessive force while arresting 2 brothers in Rock Hill

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