SHELBY, North Carolina — A North Carolina police officer was fired after a viral doorbell camera video showed him repeatedly punching a woman during an arrest, sparking protests on Friday.
The firing came after the Shelby Police Department completed an administrative investigation into the incident, Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser announced Saturday. The officer had previously been administratively suspended.
The investigation’s findings were also turned over to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for an independent review of any criminal violations, the chief said.
“While this incident does not reflect the values of the Shelby Police Department, it does reinforce the importance of meeting the highest standards of conduct,” Fraser said.
Fraser called the officer’s actions “disturbing and inappropriate.”
“I want to make it clear that inappropriate use of force is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by me, the Shelby Police Department or the city of Shelby,” Fraser added.
Officers were conducting a criminal investigation Friday when they found a “suspicious female in the area,” Fraser said.
Doorbell video appears to show an officer repeatedly punching a woman, identified as Cherrie Moore, 34, during an arrest before another officer appears to intervene. It is unclear what happened before the video.
The woman’s uncle, Michael Moore, told WSOC that seeing the images was devastating.
“You can only imagine how I feel seeing my niece lying on the floor at 90 pounds,” he said.
Shelby City Manager Justin Merritt thanked the chief and officers for investigating the incident.
“While yesterday’s incident is still raw and difficult to understand, today marks the beginning of a path forward to repair the damage that has been caused,” Merritt said.
Police have not released the officer’s name.
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