Greensboro Police defend officers after a viral arrest video shows 37-year-old Nathaniel Williams being restrained — a clip now sparking outrage and demands for transparency.
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA — Greensboro Police are defending their officers after a viral cell phone video sparked outrage over the arrest of 37-year-old Nathaniel Williams, who claims he was beaten and choked by officers during a late-night encounter.
At a press conference Thursday, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said the viral footage is misleading and insisted that his officers did not strike Williams in the head nor place a knee on his neck.
Williams reportedly received suprascapular strikes — a blow to the suprascapular nerve, which can cause immediate pain and temporary paralysis of the arm.”
They were delivered to the man’s back shoulder area to get him to release his arm after he freed himself from handcuffs while struggling.
Police Defend Officers’ Actions
Chief Thompson said the department plans to petition the court for release of the body-worn camera footage to show what really happened during the arrest.
According to Thompson, officers found Williams sitting in a car with what they described as marijuana in his lap. He said the viral cell phone video only began after Williams refused repeated commands to get out of the vehicle.
Thompson added that Williams later complained of chest pains and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Officers reportedly believed the symptoms were connected to narcotics consumption.
Williams’ Side of the Story
But Williams tells a much different story. In an interview with ABC45 News, Williams said officers attacked him during the arrest.
“They was hitting me in my head—kneeing me—cursing me—sticking they fingers down my throat, choking me, all types of stuff,” Williams told the outlet. “At this point, I was hoping I don’t die.”
Williams also claimed that one of the officers involved had previously been the subject of a complaint he filed — a detail that raises new questions about the arrest.
“That’s the same officer from a previous incident,” Williams said. “As soon as they exonerated the complaint, that’s when I got in this encounter with him again — and he stated clearly that he knew who I was.”
Williams was charged with the following offenses:
-
Two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer
-
Destruction of evidence
-
Misdemeanor possession of marijuana
-
Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia for marijuana
-
Misdemeanor maintain a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance
-
Misdemeanor resist, delay, obstruct
-
Misdemeanor communicating threats
He was released on bond Wednesday night, according to court records.
