Auburn officer placed on leave after viral video shows him punching alleged man on drugs on the ground
An Auburn, Washington, police officer responded to reports of a shirtless man running in traffic and trying to enter vehicles. After the man refused commands to get on the ground, the officer used a Taser and tackled him.
A struggle followed as the officer tried to handcuff him.
In response to the short viral video, the police department released bodycam, security, and dashcam footage showing the officer straddling the man in the roadway and punching him roughly 20 to 22 times while the man failed to comply.
It took four officers to fully subdue him.
Police said the 33-year-old man suffered no serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
He was booked on charges including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction, and possession of a controlled substance.
— Dominick Izzo (@CopTalkTRUTH) October 30, 2026
Newly released footage captures a Taser deployment, a struggle to handcuff a man in a roadway, and an officer’s account of a possible attempt to grab his firearm.
AUBURN, Wash. — The Auburn Police Department has released body-worn camera footage showing an officer repeatedly punching a man during an arrest on October 28, 2026, along Auburn Way North. The encounter, which followed a Taser deployment and a physical struggle, is now the subject of an investigation into the officer’s use of force.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. Video reviewed and described by KIRO Newsradio appears to show approximately 20 punches delivered over a 32-second period, primarily toward the man’s head and face.
The newly released recording also captures the officer explaining that he believed the man may have grabbed or attempted to grab his firearm or holster. The officer acknowledged that he was uncertain whether that contact occurred.
Police Respond to Reports of Man Entering Traffic
According to the Auburn Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, to the area of Auburn Way North and 37th Street Northeast.
Police reported that a man was running in and out of traffic and attempting to enter passing vehicles.
The first responding officer approached the man, who was shirtless, and repeatedly ordered him to get on the ground while informing him that he was under arrest.
According to the department, the man did not comply with those commands. The officer subsequently deployed his Taser.
The officer then attempted to take the man into custody, resulting in a physical struggle.
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Body Camera Footage Documents Taser Deployment and Repeated Strikes
The body-worn camera recording begins with the officer approaching the man in the roadway and issuing commands.
Approximately 29 seconds into the recording, the officer deploys his Taser and informs dispatch of the deployment.
The footage subsequently shows the officer positioning himself over the man and attempting to secure his arms behind his back for handcuffing.
As the man turns onto his back and the struggle continues, the officer begins delivering punches.
According to KIRO Newsradio’s review of the footage, approximately 20 punches appear to have been delivered intermittently over 32 seconds.
During the encounter, the officer’s body-worn camera becomes detached from his uniform, limiting the camera’s visual coverage of the remaining struggle. Other recordings, including bystander cellphone footage, provide additional perspectives of the physical confrontation.
The available recordings document portions of the encounter but do not independently resolve every disputed movement or establish whether each application of force was legally justified.
Officer Reports Possible Contact With Firearm or Holster
Following the arrest, the officer provided an account of the confrontation to a police sergeant, as captured on his body-worn camera.
The officer explained that he initially believed the man’s behavior near passing vehicles indicated a possible carjacking attempt.
He stated that the man pushed against his face and attempted to grab his beard during the struggle.
The officer also reported believing that the man may have reached for his firearm or holster.
In his recorded explanation, the officer acknowledged that he was not certain whether the man had actually grabbed the weapon or holster.
He further stated that he began delivering strikes in response to what he perceived during the struggle.
The reported possibility of contact with the officer’s firearm is a significant factual question for investigators. The officer’s statement describes his perception of the incident but does not independently establish that the man attempted to seize the weapon.
The available reporting does not confirm that investigators have made a determination regarding this allegation.
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Video Captures Suspect’s Statements and Bystander Concerns
Audio from the encounter captures the man repeatedly saying variations of “no,” “please,” and “I’m sorry” as the struggle continues.
A bystander can also be heard telling the officer that the man was on drugs and could not understand the officer’s commands.
That statement reflects the bystander’s characterization of the man’s condition. The available recording does not independently establish whether the man was intoxicated, experiencing a medical emergency, or experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Following the confrontation, the officer discusses injuries to his hands with another officer.
The conversation includes references to swelling and a bleeding injury. The officer also makes a comment about adjusting his uniform sleeves.
The recording later shows the officer preparing to drive himself to a hospital.
According to police, the man was also transported to a hospital for evaluation. The department initially reported that he did not appear to have serious injuries.
Four Officers Required to Complete Arrest
The Auburn Police Department reported that additional officers responded to assist with taking the man into custody.
According to the department, four officers were ultimately required to gain control of the man and place him in handcuffs.
Police further reported that the man continued screaming and resisting after being handcuffed, and that fire personnel were requested to assist in calming him.
The Seattle Times reported that police identified the man as 33 years old and said he was expected to be booked for investigation of several alleged offenses, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, attempted third-degree assault, obstruction, and non-felony possession of a controlled substance.
Those reported allegations do not establish guilt, and an expected booking is not equivalent to the filing of formal criminal charges.
Washington Law Governing Police Use of Force
Under Washington law, police officers may use physical force in specified circumstances, including effecting a lawful arrest and protecting against an imminent threat of bodily injury.
Washington Revised Code RCW 10.120.020 also requires officers to exercise reasonable care when deciding whether and how to use force.
The statute addresses several considerations relevant to evaluating an encounter:
These statutory requirements provide a framework for evaluating police conduct but do not, by themselves, establish whether the officer’s actions in this encounter violated the law.
The law permits police agencies to adopt additional restrictions through departmental policies.
Former King County Sheriff Responds to Footage
Former King County Sheriff John Urquhart discussed the encounter in an interview with KIRO Newsradio.
Urquhart described the recording as jarring and expressed concern about the repeated strikes to the man’s head.
He also cautioned against making a final determination before investigators establish the complete circumstances.
Urquhart identified several factors that investigators would need to examine, including the man’s behavior, the level of resistance, any threat to the officer, and available alternatives to the strikes.
He emphasized that the investigation should establish why the officer believed the repeated punches were necessary before determining whether the force was justified.
His comments were an assessment of the available recording, not a formal investigative finding.
Current Status: Officer on Administrative Leave
As of October 30, 2026, the Auburn Police Department has confirmed that the officer involved in the arrest remains on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
KIRO 7 reported that the department had not answered questions about who was conducting the administrative investigation or whether a separate criminal investigation into the officer’s conduct was underway.
The following matters remain unresolved in the publicly verified information reviewed for this report:
Administrative leave is not itself a finding of misconduct. No final administrative or criminal determination regarding the officer’s conduct was identified in the available reporting as of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Auburn police arrest occur?
The encounter occurred Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at approximately 3:15 p.m., near Auburn Way North and 37th Street Northeast in Auburn, Washington.
How many times did the officer punch the man?
According to KIRO Newsradio’s review of the available recordings, the officer appears to have delivered approximately 20 punches over a 32-second period. The number remains an observational estimate rather than a confirmed investigative finding.
Did the man attempt to take the officer’s gun?
The officer stated that he believed the man may have grabbed or attempted to grab his firearm or holster. He also acknowledged uncertainty about whether the contact occurred. The available reporting does not independently confirm an attempted gun grab.
Was the man seriously injured?
The Auburn Police Department initially stated that the man did not appear to have serious injuries. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation. A complete medical assessment has not been independently verified.
Has the officer been fired or charged with a crime?
No termination or criminal charge against the officer was confirmed in the publicly available reporting reviewed as of October 30, 2026. The officer remains on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Has the use of force been determined to be excessive?
No final finding establishing whether the repeated strikes were lawful, justified, or consistent with departmental policy has been identified. The matter remains under investigation.
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