Auburn, WA cop placed on leave after viral physical altercation

Auburn police say an officer is on administrative leave after a fight with a man in the middle of Auburn Way North. At least part of that fight was captured on camera. Fox 13's Dan Griffin spoke with city officials, witnesses, and the man's family as questions are swirling about the response. Videos of the altercation between the officer and the man have captured the attention not only of people here in Auburn, but around the Puget Sound, and concerns are mounting. This video of an Auburn police officer fighting with a man in the road is all over social media and it haunts neighbor Jesse Wolf who saw it in person. The guy couldn't roll over. The officer was on top of him and he was hitting him in the face repeatedly and the guy's head was bouncing off the concrete. He captured part of the aftermath. He didn't have a shirt on, he was very visibly beat up. He had marks on his back, on his shoulders, on his face. Auburn police say the man ran through traffic on Auburn Way North Wednesday trying to open car doors, fighting back after a taser failed to stop him. His family says he was confused in a mental health crisis. They say he raised his hands and was trying to reach his stepdaughter's car. I was angry. I mean, I did feel like the guy was confused. Police say it took four officers to overpower the man who screamed and resisted, but Wolf says he heard pleas for mercy. The suspect was definitely crying out, apologizing, saying he was sorry. Police claim he suffered no serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. His family tells us he was unconscious. The city declined a request by Fox 13 News to expand on its written statement. I think it was excessive force. He was clearly unarmed. He didn't have a shirt on like Wolf. The community is now debating the response from every angle. Again, that officer is said to be on administrative leave pending a full investigation. That is fairly standard practice. We will keep you updated on any developments reporting in Auburn. Dan Griffin, Fox 13 news.