Ohio cop Sparta-kicks suspect with his hands up in shocking arrest video

A 21-year-old man was Sparta-kicked by an Ohio cop while he was kneeling on the ground with his hands raised, a shocking arrest video shows. 

Jaemiier McElroy, 21, was knocked onto his back after Officer Brandon Momirov's foot slammed into his head on Saturday. 

Police were responding to reports of an argument in the Mahoning Manor parking lot. By the time Momirov ran up to the scene, McElroy was around surrounded by police with his hands up while on his knees. 

Canton Police said the young man had 'appeared to be complying' after being ordered to get to the ground when the violent attack took place, according to WKYC. 

McElroy was taken to the hospital in a 'lot of pain,' has severe swelling in his neck and face, and suffered from a concussion, his attorney, Bobby DiCello, told NBC News. 

The young man, who was traumatized by the event, was charged with resisting arrest. Two other men were also arrested on suspicion of 'obstructing official business' and resisting arrest. 

Jaemiier McElroy, 21, (pictured on his knees) was knocked onto his back after Officer Brandon Momirov's foot slammed into his head on Saturday

Canton Police said the young man had 'appeared to be complying' after being ordered to get to the ground when the violent attack took place

Two pistols and a backpack with marijuana, scales, and money in it were recovered at the scene, according to NBC News. 

Bodycam footage shows Momirov running toward a scene with screaming men, never once slowing down before slamming his foot into McElroy. 

Later in the video, as they're detaining the others, one asked: 'What you kick my brother like that, that's crazy?' 

The officer replied: 'How many times did I tell you to get on the ground? It's not malicious, just get on the ground.' 

Another officer off-screen says: 'If you guys don't want to listen, that's fine, but don't be surprised when we put our hands on you.' 

DiCello insisted McElroy wasn't even a part of the group. 

McElroy (pictured) was taken to the hospital in a 'lot of pain,' has severe swelling in his neck and face, and suffered from a concussion

'I think it's a failure of leadership on every level,' DiCello told NBC News. 'The leadership of the city needs to do something about it. They need to take swift and decisive action. 

'They must - they absolutely must - terminate that officer.' 

Canton Police Chief, John Gabbard, said the officer will be 'held accountable' for 'using force outside the parameters of our training.' 

However, DiCello doesn't believe it, as he says 'there's a group of people in Canton that are law enforcement officers who are treating ordinary civilians like enemy combatants.' 

He also noted that several of his clients have faced violent police interactions since 2022. 

'If this was another context, you'd say that's a crime spree,' he told NBC News. 

The community has been outraged by the video and Canton Mayor William Sherer II said he 'understand[s] the community is looking for answers and the want for immediate action.' 

The young man, who was traumatized by the event, was charged with resisting arrest. Two pistols and a backpack with marijuana, scales, and money in it were recovered at the scene

'However, there are protocols in place that must be followed,' he said, according to WKYC. 

'I want to reiterate that the behavior seen in the video is unacceptable. This behavior will not be tolerated. It is unfortunate that we continue to have these occurrences arise that reflect on our entire police department.' 

Hector McDaniel, the president of the Stark County NAACP, said he was 'shocked' and 'alarmed' by the video and is 'greatly disappointed in policing in the community.' 

He blames policing for going 'too far to the left,' especially in Canton, and said they will focus on solutions that bring 'assistance in terms of bringing policing in line with the written mission and goals that it already has.' 

Canton Chief of Counsel Kevin L'Hommedieu said the city is working on creating a board that will look at these issues. 

The board would meet quarterly and will be made up of seven people appointed by the mayor to review the Canton Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau. McDaniel will be one of the people on the board, according to WKYC.