West Virginia Governor Jim Justice issued a statement this afternoon regarding a state trooper incident and a minor that occurred on Monday, November 19.
According to the statement, two troopers stopped a 16-year-old suspect in Martinsburg and beat him, as shown in dashcam footage. The footage has not been released.
Additional information provided by the West Virginia State Police stated that the suspect was allegedly involved in a crash with a sheriff’s department cruiser.
The troopers pursued the suspect, who crashed and was apprehended. The suspect was transported to a hospital and released.
The alleged beating occurred during the apprehension process.
“While I proudly support the brave efforts of our law enforcement agencies every day it must be perfectly clear that I will NOT tolerate this kind of behavior in any way, shape, form, or fashion,” Justice said.
The governor has requested an investigation immediately. The West Virginia State Police initiated a criminal and internal investigation, upon reviewing the in-car camera video.
The two troopers have been suspended without pay pending the investigation.
This story will be updated pending further information from the West Virgina State Police Department.
