SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The family of a man arrested at a Sioux Falls apartment is claiming that police used excessive force. A video of Monday’s arrest is circulating on social media.
The video, shot by a neighbor, shows 44-year-old Daneil Bettelyoun on the ground with two officers on top of him. Several people can be heard in the background yelling at Bettleyoun to stop resisting and at officers to stop.
“I definitely feel that there was a lot of unnecessary force used against him,” said Bettelyoun’s cousin,” said Kelsie Whiting.
Bettelyoun’s cousin, who grew up with him, says it was hard to watch the video.
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“It made me cry, it made me really upset. I know regardless of what he did, he didn’t deserve to be treated that way,” said Whiting. “Overall, after I let the emotions out, I’m really mostly upset about what happened, and I think he deserves some kind of justice.”
Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum says what you don’t see in the video is that Bettelyoun ran from officers, tried to hide in his mother’s apartment, and then resisted arrest.
At one point, an officer throws several punches. Moments later, another uses a taser on Bettelyoun’s legs.