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SSPD Body Camera Footage/ Screen shot
Comments circulated on social media on Monday regarding alleged police violence by Sulphur Springs Police, although body cam footage released by SSPD Monday evening seems to contradict the claims.
Lakia Booker, of Sulphur Springs, was pulled over near Pacific Park at approximately 5:34 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 for allegedly being involved in a car crash, according to arrest reports. Arresting officer Victor Reyna found that Booker allegedly did not have a valid license and Booker was taken to HCSO jail, where she was booked in on a $1000 bond and released later that same day, according to jail records.
Booker's mugshot shows injuries to the forehead and face.
Some on social media on Monday claimed that Booker was the victim of police violence during the arrest, starting a hashtag "justiceforlakia," and talking about plans to meet outside SSPD at noon on Wednesday.
At 7:21 p.m. on Monday, SSPD released body camera footage from the incident.
In the footage, Booker appears to step out of her vehicle already with injuries. Booker indicates to EMS personnel she "got into an altercation earlier" and declines transport by EMS to the hospital.
Other than escorting Booker to the patrol unit, Officer Reyna does not appear to touch Booker.
SSPD Police Chief Ricketson told the News-Telegram, "what you see on the footage, that's the interaction we had with the individual."
SSPD claims the footage was not altered except to remove identifying details such as license plate information.
City council member Rev. Harold Nash thanked SSPD for their "quick action in immediately informing the two African American city councilmen of misinformation... within five minutes we [Nash and council member Place 5 Freddie Taylor] were watching the video from the officer's body camera."
"After the wonderful peaceful events of this weekend [racial equality march at Pacific Park on June 6], this could have been detrimental to the movement all over this nation for justice and equality," Nash said. "I ask that everyone... continue to 'work together' in an effort to end the causes for wrongs that people of color."