In Oklahoma City, an officer has been charged with felony assault after an incident involving a 71-year-old man who suffered serious injuries, including a broken neck. The charges against Sgt. Joseph Gibson, 28, were filed on Thursday in Oklahoma County, where he is facing one count of aggravated assault and battery. This incident occurred on October 27 during a confrontation that escalated following a traffic citation related to a non-injury accident.
Body camera footage recorded by the police depicted Gibson forcefully slamming Lich Vu to the ground after Vu allegedly touched him during their argument. Jonathan Behenna, a representative for the prosecution, stated that after reviewing the specifics of the case, it was determined that Gibson’s response was an excessive use of force relative to the circumstances.
According to prosecutors, Vu sustained a brain bleed, a broken neck, and a fractured eye socket as a result of the encounter, and he remains in the hospital receiving treatment. The police department’s leadership has withheld comments on the charges but previously stated that Gibson had been placed on administrative leave while an investigation into the matter took place.
In a communication released back in October, the department assured the community that a thorough investigation was underway, highlighting the complexity and timeframe necessary for review. This statement was also made available in Vietnamese, recognizing the diverse community that Oklahoma City encompasses.
The incident has sparked significant outrage within Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community, especially in light of the body camera footage indicating that Vu faced challenges in communicating with the officer during the altercation. Many feel that the violent response was unwarranted given the situation.
Mark Nelson, the president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, expressed empathy towards Vu and acknowledged the seriousness of his injuries. However, he also voiced concerns regarding the implications of the charges for law enforcement officers on duty, stating that it is regrettable for a police officer to face felony charges for actions believed to be performed in good faith while carrying out their responsibilities.
In Nelson’s statement, he noted that Sgt. Gibson was acting in accordance with his training on de-escalation protocols when confronted during this incident, underscoring the complexities that police officers often face in high-stress situations.
