Video: Pelicans' Jaxson Hayes was shocked by police; friend says he saw him choking
The website TMZ published a 37-second cell phone video Wednesday morning showing a Los Angeles police officer tasing Jaxson Hayes in the chest while the New Orleans Pelicans center was on the ground.
The incident occurred last week, when Hayes was arrested after police responded to a domestic dispute at the home of Hayes’ girlfriend.
In the video, the person holding the camera, who identifies himself as Hayes’ friend, tells the three police officers he saw Hayes choking.
“Stop,” the man says, “Stop. Get your hands off him now. I’ve seen him choking.”
Hayes can be heard telling one of the police officers, “I want your badge number.” Second later, the same officer shocked Hayes in the chest.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it is investigating the possibility of “force being applied” to Hayes’ neck in its first public statement on the arrest. Tuesday, LAPD Chief Michael Moore said Hayes made a complaint that "he could not breathe" and "that there was a constraint or restriction on his neck.”
In June 2020, weeks after George Floyd's killing, LAPD banned the use of chokeholds that restrict blood flow to the brain.
Police have not yet released any body camera footage from the incident. An LAPD spokesperson said such footage does not become public until 45 days after an incident.
Police arrived at the home of Hayes’ girlfriend at about 2:50 a.m. and encountered Hayes in the front yard. Officers said they told him he needed to wait there while they spoke to the woman inside.
Hayes then tried to enter the home repeatedly, which prompted officers to place his hands behind his back, LAPD said. At that point, Hayes broke free of the officers’ grasp and pushed one of them into a wall, LAPD said.
Both Hayes and that officer were taken to a hospital and then released. Hayes was treated for minor injuries and booked into jail at roughly 3:05 p.m. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
Last week, the Pelicans said they were “aware of the incident involving Jaxson Hayes” and had no further comment.
The Pelicans selected Hayes eighth overall in the 2019 draft. He played in 64 games as a rookie and 60 last season.
