Florida police respond to video showing deputy punching man accused of attacking woman

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is commenting on a video making the rounds on social media that appears to show a deputy smacking a man repeatedly in the face.

WEAR reported that video posted on Instagram and other social media by a man identified as Bud Galloway shows a policeman tackle and straddle on top of a man Saturday at a Blue Angels show in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The man is laying on his back and when he attempts to prop himself up on his arms in a push-up position, the policeman punches him in the face.

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Blood pours from the man's face and onto the ground as the officer handcuffs the man. Onlookers express outrage as more officers gather and attempt to clear the area.

WKRG reported that the Escambia County Sheriff's Office said officers were called to Pensacola Beach around 1:15 p.m. at Island Culture Tiki Bar about a man attacking a woman. Police said a group of men tried to stop Dixon after he hit the woman five to six times. The man was identified as 22-year-old Jonathan Thomas Dixon.

Officials say Galloway's video shows an officer tackling Dixon after multiple previous attempts to get him to surrender. They said he was resisting arrest and yelling profanities at officers and onlookers.

According to police, WKRG reported, Dixon was resisting medical treatment from emergency medical service and deputies after he was arrested. He was found to have a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit. He remains in Escambia County Jail on charges of battery, battery on an officer, disorderly intoxication in a public place, and resisting an officer with violence.

The woman who was attacked was taken to the hospital. Her condition has not been released.

WEAR reported that ECSO said the use of force in the incident will be reviewed.

Cox Media Group