Kinston residents packed City Council chambers Tuesday to voice their concerns and frustrations after a viral video captured a police officer punching an 18-year-old pinned to the ground during an arrest.
Activists and residents slammed the city’s police force during the meeting, saying the punches were part of a pattern of behavior by Kinston PD.
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On Monday, WRAL News obtained video of the officer, later identified as Andrew Beck, punching 18-year-old Cameron Williams while police were trying to detain him.
According to an arrest warrant, police accused Williams of being a potential suspect in a breaking-and-entering case and “refusing to stop when directed” and “pulling away during the arrest attempt.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, activists argued this type of behavior is part a long term problem at KPD
“There seems to be a pattern,” said Goldsboro resident Richard Taylor.
In 2024, officers were captured on video punching another Kinston resident, Khalil Branch. In 2021, officers were filmed punching another man, later identified as David Bruton Jr., at least four times.
Both Bruton and Branch were charged with resisting arrest. Internal investigations in both cases from the Kinston Police Department determined officers did not use excessive force.
Rista Cox, a film director who attended the city council meeting, pleaded for things to change.
“Kinston Police Department has gone unchecked for far too long,” Cox said.
While several in attendance were critical of the police department, veteran law enforcement officer Donnie Harrison had a different view, arguing it’s too difficult to judge from the video of Sunday’s incident alone whether the officer was justified.
“If he was moving those hands, or resisting to let you see those hands, it probably was going to happen, because he had to get him under control,” Harrison said during an interview with WRAL Tuesday. “I think it’d go a whole lot smoother if people would just comply with us. We’re there for a reason.”
Kinston police said they are investigating the Sunday’s incident. During Tuesday’s meeting, city council members asked the community for patience, understanding and engagement.
“We’ve got to speak up more when we know better,” said council member Chris Suggs. “When we know better, we do better.”