New York City Council Member Accused of Biting Police Officer
NEW YORK — A New York City Council member was arrested Wednesday and charged with biting a police officer.
Brooklyn Democratic Rep. Susan Zhuang was arrested during a chaotic protest against the construction of a new homeless shelter in her neighborhood, police said.
Images and videos posted on social media show clashes between police and protesters at the site of a planned homeless shelter. In one video, a woman who appears to be Zhuang can be seen alongside other protesters trying to break through a barricade to escape police as an officer tries to handcuff her. Another video appears to show Zhuang being led away by police in handcuffs.
Police, citing an arrest report, said Zhuang was blocking officers from reaching a woman on the ground, and that Zhuang pushed officers and ended up biting an officer as the officer tried to grab her. Zhuang is charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction, a police spokesperson said. At an unrelated news conference Wednesday afternoon, NYPD Patrol Chief John Chell identified the officer as a deputy chief.
Zhuang’s office declined to comment.
Chell described Zhuang as a longtime “great partner” of the NYPD. But he said of the allegations: “I can’t explain it right now.”
Zhuang posted a video on social media site X early Wednesday that appeared to show people arguing with an officer at the site over whether there was a building permit for the site.
A spokesman for the Brooklyn district attorney said Zhuang had not yet been charged as of Wednesday afternoon.
News Source : abcnews.go.com
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