Burlington police say an officer was following his training when he struck a subject laying on the ground multiple times in an attempt to free the man's hands so he could be taken into custody.
On Monday police released their version of events that occurred early Sunday after police tried to arrest a suspect they saw assault a person in downtown Burlington.
Video of a portion of the incident, including the officer striking the subject, was posted to the internet.
Police say that while officers were trying to subdue the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Shane Langevin of Winooski, another man approached the officers with clenched fists. An officer used pepper spray to keep him away.
Langevin and the second suspect were charged with crimes; it's unclear if they have attorneys.
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