Gutierrez reportedly noticed Lt. Nazario’s automotive pull into the car parking zone, which he admitted was a typical incidence. It was one thing that occurs, “so much, and 80% of the time, it’s a minority.” If there was any doubt about why an individual of colour would possibly really feel the necessity to pull over in an space that’s properly lit, and the place there are potential witnesses, the Windsor police quickly made the rationale clear.
Within the bodycam video (a few of which must be watched at YouTube on account of age restrictions), each Crocker and Gutierrez will be seen pointing their weapons at Lt. Nazario—with Gutierrez adopting a form of sideways, faux-gangsta model as he waggles the barrel on the uniformed Military officer’s face. Gutierrez then begins to inform Lt. Nazario, “you’re underneath arrest proper now for,,,” stops himself, after which says, “you’re being detained for obstruction of justice.”
At this level, Lt. Nazario is holding each fingers out the open window and asking what’s going on. Gutierrez pepper sprays him via the window. As Lt. Nazario winces and pulls again, Gutierrez steps in and offers the lieutenant an additional little toot of spray instantly in his face.
After Nazario opens the door— a course of delayed as a result of as one officer is telling him to open the door, the opposite is shouting at Nazario to maintain his fingers up — Gutierrez orders him to get out of the automotive. “What are you?” says Gutierrez. “A specialist? A corporal?” naming two decrease ranks.
“I’m a lieutenant,” mentioned Nazario. Who then informs him that he’s afraid to step out, and even attain for his seat belt, and once more asks what’s happening.
“I’m truthfully afraid to get out,” says Lt. Nazario.
“Yeah, you ought to be!” says one of many officers.
Lastly pulled from the automotive, Lt. Nazario is compelled to the bottom by Crocker and Gutierrez. Nonetheless with out being advised why he was stopped, and whilst he’s begging for some assist for his canine, who was within the automotive and choking from publicity to pepper spray. In the course of this, Gutierrez tells Nazario that he’s about to “experience the lightning,” an expression often linked to somebody being executed within the electrical chair.
Lt. Nazario was overwhelmed, handcuffed, and held for interrogation whereas one of many officers searched his automotive with out a warrant. The 2 officers threaten to cost Nazario with eluding police, obstructing justice, and assaulting an officer … however they don’t. As a substitute, one expresses concern concerning the Military studying concerning the arrest and says he’ll let Nazario go if he’ll “chill.”
Nazario has launched a lawsuit in opposition to the Windsor police. Each Crocker and Gutierrez nonetheless work for the Windsor police division. Neither has been suspended for his or her actions.