HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Huntsville Police Department said a man was arrested after he charged and hit two officers over the weekend.
HPD said on Saturday, around 6 a.m., officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 3100 block of Clopton Street.
Upon arrival, HPD said officers heard a man, identified as 26-year-old Kemonte Kentarieus Hobbs, yelling in the breezeway. The department said that when Hobbs saw the officers, he tried to run and hide.
From there, HPD said officers “called out to check on him.” After that, HPD said Hobbs charged at them, hitting one officer in the face and another officer in the midsection.
“Using trained techniques, officers were able to safely bring the man under control. The officers sustained only minor injuries that did not require medical treatment,” HPD said.
Hobbs was arrested and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer and resisting arrest.
Hobbs’ arrest comes after the City of Huntsville recently settled a federal lawsuit filed by Hobbs’ family. They sued the City after HPD officers stomped on Hobbs’ leg during an arrest in 2021.
Hobbs was originally arrested on May 30, 2021, at a MAPCO gas station in Huntsville after an employee of the store called the Huntsville Police Department to complain that Hobbs was disturbing customers by “panhandling” and refusing to leave.
Video obtained by News 19 back in 2021, which circulated on social media, shows Hobbs struggling with Huntsville Police Department officers, being tased and being repeatedly stomped on by an officer while they attempted to arrest him.
The video of the altercation can be seen below. This video contains scenes that could be disturbing to some. Viewer discretion is advised.
Former Huntsville City Councilman Devyn Keith commented on the Facebook video, saying he considered what happened in the video “reckless use of force.”
As part of the settlement, the City of Huntsville agreed to pay $15,000 into a “Special Needs Trust” for Hobbs with the “Alabama Family Trust.”
Martin Weinberg, Hobbs’ attorney, sent a statement to News 19 about the settlement, saying, “All the parties are relieved to settle this lawsuit over an unfortunate incident that occurred over 5 years ago. There were a number of challenges, but we have closure now.”
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