In a decision that has drawn widespread attention, officials in Canton, Ohio, announced the dismissal of a veteran police officer after footage surfaced of him kicking a suspect who had been kneeling on the ground with his hands raised in surrender. The officer, Brandon Momirov, was fired on Monday, nearly a month after the video, recorded by a bystander, went viral. The incident involved 21-year-old Jaemiir McElroy, who appeared to be complying with police orders when he was suddenly kicked in the chest by Momirov.
The altercation, which unfolded in broad daylight, has sparked outrage within the community. Amari Reese, a witness to the incident, expressed disbelief in an interview with a local television station, saying, “I don’t understand why the cop ran up and kicked him in his face. It was uncalled for because he really wasn’t doing anything.” The video, which quickly spread online, shows McElroy kneeling in compliance as Momirov approaches and delivers the blow, prompting swift condemnation from civil rights advocates and calls for justice.
McElroy was hospitalized with a concussion, according to his attorney, Bob DiCello, who stated that the charges against his client—obstructing official business and resisting arrest—were not supported by body camera footage. Police had originally responded to reports of an argument involving a group of people, but by the time they arrived, the situation had largely de-escalated. “At the end of the day, they saw what we saw,” DiCello remarked, emphasizing that the dismissal of Momirov likely would not have occurred without the public pressure generated by the video.
In a statement addressing the incident, Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II condemned the officer’s actions, stressing the need for accountability. “This behavior is not acceptable,” he said, adding, “I’ve said on more than one occasion that we can do better, and I’m tired of saying it. It’s about action.” While Police Chief John Gabbard initially defended Momirov, pointing to the stress and danger officers frequently face, he ultimately supported the decision to terminate the officer after reviewing the footage. Mayor Sherer framed the event as an “isolated incident,” though tensions in the city suggest otherwise.
McElroy’s case is the latest in a string of troubling encounters between Canton police and the community. Attorney Bob DiCello, who represents McElroy, is involved in multiple lawsuits alleging police misconduct in Canton, including several cases where suspects were seriously injured or killed. Among these incidents was the death of James Williams, a Black man shot by police during a New Year’s Eve celebration in 2022, and a more recent case where a man died in custody after repeatedly telling officers he couldn’t breathe. The city’s police department has faced growing scrutiny as these cases come to light.
The incident involving Momirov adds to a long list of grievances between residents and the police force, with civil rights advocates arguing that there is a culture of excessive force within the department. DiCello described the situation as a “crime spree” perpetrated by officers against civilians, comparing their actions to those used in military combat. As community leaders call for reform, many are left wondering how many more incidents it will take before substantial changes are made to restore trust between the police and the people they are sworn to protect.
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