Canton cop jumps out of cruiser and running kicks a man who is on his knees, complying, police chief responds to video

Controversy over video on social media showing a Canton police officer kicking a suspect led to some tense moments at a City Council meeting Monday night.

Police Chief John Gabbard has confirmed the veracity of the video. The man who was kicked has since been charged with obstruction and resisting arrest, despite authorities saying he was complying with officers' orders.

The footage shows the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Jaemiier McElroy, kneeling on the ground with his hands in the air while surrounded by other officers. As this occurs, Officer Brandon Momirov runs up and kicks McElroy in the upper body, causing McElroy to fall to the ground.

In a press release issued Monday afternoon, police said the incident occurred Saturday night near the Mahoning Manor apartment complex on Morris Avenue Northeast. Officers were called to the area after someone reported an argument involving 10-15 people, and authorities say "multiple" individuals fled once law enforcement arrived, however others were located and ordered to the ground.

One of those suspects was McElroy, whom the department admits "appeared to be complying" before being kicked. McElroy and two other men were arrested, with police saying two handguns and a backpack containing "a large amount of marijuana" were recovered from the scene. It is not clear just who possessed these items.