SARASOTA, Fla. — Several activist groups are alleging police brutality against a Sarasota Police Officer and demanding he be indicted.
Answer Suncoast, Black Lives Matter Manasota, and Rodney Mitchell Foundation claim that in late March, Officer Brandon Vermillion and other SPD officers were caught on video brutally beating and tasing Chad Washington, a black man, during a medical emergency.
They also cite an incident in April when Officer Vermillion opened fire into an SUV with three black teenagers inside. Two suffered serious gunshot wounds but survived.
The last incident they cite is from three weeks ago when they say multiple family members were beaten, kicked, tased and maced at the wedding party of a Latino family.
Each family will have multiple representatives present as the organizations speak at a press conference Wednesday, which can be seen at 4 p.m. here.
They are demanding the state attorney drop the charges against all survivors and indict Officer Vermillion.
