NEW YORK CITY
The NYPD police officer who shoved a female protester to the ground — on camera — has now been arrested and charged with assault … among other crimes.
Officer Vincent D’Andraia surrendered to authorities at the Downtown Brooklyn precinct Tuesday morning. He was booked for assault, criminal mischief, harassment, and menacing. He appeared for his arraignment by a video feed, due to coronavirus concerns. He was released on his own recognizance.
D’Andraia has been ID’d by city officials as the officer seen in a video pushing a woman to the ground in late May near the Barclays Center … where she was participating in a George Floyd protest. She says she suffered a concussion and a seizure.
The cop was suspended without pay shortly thereafter, and his supervisor was reportedly transferred to another precinct. The case is already being reviewed by Internal Affairs.
Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez says of the case, “I fully support the long-held American tradition of non-violent protest. As District Attorney I cannot tolerate the use of excessive force against anyone exercising this Constitutionally guaranteed right.”
He adds, “This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law. I am deeply troubled by this unnecessary assault. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable.”