WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House announced on Monday that they are aware of the Circleville Police Department’s K9 mauling an unarmed black man and that President Joe Biden has been briefed.
NBC Chief White House Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell asked the White House press secretary during Monday’s regularly scheduled press briefing if President Biden had been updated on the latest on “the Ohio police department that deployed a dog when a motorist was stopped?”
What O’Donnell was referring to was a July 4 incident along route 23 that spanned Ross, Pickaway, and Jackson counties. The Guardian was the first to break the news that Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakman unleashed his K9, Serg onto an unarmed black man who was actively surrendering after a chase involving a semi. The man has his hands in the air and was complying with state troopers, who was the lead agency on the incident.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre replied saying, “I saw the stories,” she said. “I believe there is an investigation. They’re looking into it. It sounds horrific. But I don’t want to go beyond that, but it does sound horrific as to what happened.” Jean-Pierre said she had no updates to give since President Biden was given the initial briefing.
Jadarrius Rose, 23, of Memphis, Tenn., was the driver in the pursuit. The Guardian covered the pursuit in real-time as it was happening, but it was not until earlier last week when body cam footage was released by the Highway Patrol of Rose surrendering that a seemingly routine felony traffic stop turned into something much more serious that would captivate a nation. The story has since gone international, being covered by CNN, ABC, NBC, The Washington Post, Columbus Dispatch, and even news outlets in London, England and Japan.
In the video, Rose is seen stopping the semi along route 23 just inside the Pickaway County line. He voluntarily ended the chase, got out of the semi, and was complying with state troopers’ commands during a surrender. With his hands in the air, the video shows the Circleville Police K9 unit arrive at the scene, simultaneously yelling different commands to Rose, before the dog was unleashed by Officer Ryan Speakman. Speakman was yelling at Rose to get on the ground, while troopers were yelling for him to walk toward them. A confused Rose pointed at both and stood still, with his hands up. Once the dog was unleashed, it went charging after the state trooper who was yelling to Rose, before the dog was redirected by Speakman and told to attack Rose. By this time, Rose was on his knees with his hands in the air still complying. The video of the attack has gone international with countless people calling for action.
The Circleville Police Department, along with the town’s mayor released a written statement on Friday that said an excessive force review was underway of the attack and that the findings would be issued next week. That is contradictory to an email exchange the Guardian had previously with Chief Shawn Baer, where it was said the use of force investigation was completed with a finding of no wrongdoing. Bizarrely, the city, through the chief and mayor now claim a “use of force review board” has been impaneled to go over the incident. The city refuses to confirm if Speakman remains on the job during the alleged review, however, the department’s dispatch center and social media has been inundated with people from all over the globe upset about the events that unfolded. So much so that officers and dispatchers have been provided a script to read to those who call or stop by the department about the matter.
Where things stand now
Circleville Police would not confirm to the media if Speakman was still working the streets during the supposed-review; a review that was completed once already that cleared him of wrongdoing, but has since been reignited after worldwide outrage. However, on Monday, the town’s mayor broke silence once again, but only to say Speakman was placed on leave late-last week after public outcry.
Rose was charged with failing to comply with a police officer. Ross County Prosecutor Jeff Marks has told the Columbus Dispatch that more charges for Rose are likely and that the K9 attack would not have any weight on the prosecution of Rose for the chase. Rose was released on bond and awaits trial and possibly additional indictments.
The Department of Justice released a statement to the Guardian saying that they were aware of the K9 attack but could not release anything at this time. The words “at this time” were bolded in their statement, alluding that something later would be released. Equally, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s office said he, too, was aware of the incident, but could not comment further.
Black Live Matter movement supporters have slated a protest in Circleville for this weekend. More than 10,000 people have signaled on Facebook page that they are interested in attending.