GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCIV) — In early May, Shawn Thompson led local law enforcement on a chase through Summerville into Goose Creek in what police called a “publicity stunt.” In newly acquired footage of the incident, a Berkeley County sheriff’s deputy appeared to strike the 19-year-old several times in the back while he was on the ground with his arms “held still” by at least one other officer during his arrest.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office said it needed time to pull and review records related to the incident before commenting.
The footage, which comes from two different Summerville Police Department patrol vehicles’ dash cameras, shows Thompson driving his car into the loading bay area of a Walmart off St. James Avenue in Goose Creek before officers approach with guns drawn and remove him from the vehicle. Law enforcement can be seen pulling Thompson from the black Camaro and forcing him to the ground while attempting to place him in handcuffs as the deputy appears to strike the suspect in the area of his back, rearing his fist back past his ear and delivering at least five blows before pulling out of a sixth…