NEW YORK CITY — An officer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly punching a man at least a dozen times while responding to a call about a teenage boy who was having an emotional crisis last year.
Officer Christian Zapata was reportedly indicted on one count of assault in the third degree in connection with the incident on Dec. 7, 2022.
On Oct. 4, 36-year-old Zapata pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault and was released the same day.
Prosecutors said Zapata allegedly punched 43-year-old Gerome Collins, the boyfriend of the teen’s mother, 13 times within the span of nine seconds.
The teenager who was having an emotional crisis during the time of the incident has autism, reported The New York Daily News.
The incident on Dec. 7, 2022 was captured on police body-worn cameras.
The incident happened after Collins repeatedly asked the officers to put on face masks, which prosecutors said they “refused” to do despite Collins explaining there were people in the household with compromised health.
Following the altercation seen on video, Collins was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. The charges were later dropped by the Manhattan District Attorney.
After the incident, Zapata, a 12-year veteran who was reportedly promoted to sergeant about four months before the incident happened, was placed on desk duty, with no gun or shield.
Zapata was reportedly demoted to the rank of officer in August.
More on the incident and case here.
Corey A. Washington is Editor of BLK News Now! His journalism experience includes Television, Newspapers, and Digital Media as a Writer, Reporter, Content Producer, and Digital Producer. Some of those media outlets include CBS Phoenix (KPHO), NBC4 Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles, California Black Media, SCNG, and more. He can be reached at Corey@BLKNewsNow.com.