Men filmed beating NYPD officer after he asked them to stop smoking at subway station

Authorities in New York arrested and charged two men after they were filmed beating a police officer who asked them to stop smoking at a subway station. Per the New York Post, Kaream McClary, 23, Izayiah Jessamy, 20, and a third individual were smoking cigarettes at the Freeman Street subway station on Monday afternoon when the officer and his colleague asked them to put them out, police said.

The two suspects and the third man, however, declined to put out the cigarettes and began fighting the officers after the law enforcement officials attempted to get the trio out of the station. In the video of the incident that was shared on social media, the two suspects are seen landing multiple blows on the officer’s head, face, and neck. The officer in an attempt to protect himself from the attack is seen covering his head.

Police said the two officers sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the subway station. The two suspects were ultimately arrested and charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and trespassing. The third man has also been declared wanted by police.

But McClary and Jessamy were released during their arraignment on Tuesday, causing an NYPD union leader to condemn the decision by the Bronx judge, the New York Post reported. And though prosecutors had asked for a monetary bail or bond, the judge opted to release the two suspects without bail, court documents stated.

“This shows the absolutely upside down world we’re living in,” the president of the Police Benevolent Association union, Patrick Hendry, said in response to the judge’s decision in a statement. “We need New Yorkers to start speaking up and demanding real consequences for those who assault cops,” he added. 

“Our streets and subways won’t be safe if the cops protecting them aren’t safe.”