(Image source from: Latestly)

A viral video showing two white Broward County sheriffs violently banging an unarmed black teen’s head against the pavement has sparked debate and outrage across social media.

Thousands of people in Florida shared the videos of the incident on Twitter and Facebook over the weekend, with a hashtag #JusticeForLucca, demanding that officers be fired or prosecuted.

Following the increasing outrage online, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony reported that the department is conducting a “thorough investigation” and currently one of the officers captured in the viral video had been placed on restricted duty.

The unnamed teen was observed in many photos on social media with blood splattered across his face.

According to various media outlets and official affidavit, the officer identified as Krickovich said that he and his partner Sgt. Greg LaCerra received a call from a McDonald's Tamarac, Florida, during the afternoon on April 18, after employees reported a large group of teenagers gathered for a fight outside the fast-food chain.

In the affidavit, he explained that McDonald’s was a popular spot for school students who would gather after their classes. The scene is also famous for frequent fights.

When Krickovich and LaCerra arrived at the spot, they ordered the crowd of teens to disperse. They identified one of the perpetrators from a fight that occurred the previous day. He was reportedly warned not to trespass in the area again and took him to custody.

“While I was dealing with the male on the ground, I observed his phone slide to the right of me and then behind me. I observed a teen wearing a red tank top reach down and attempt to grab the male student’s phone,” Krickovich wrote, as reported by BuzzFeed News.

According to LaCerra, when he ordered the other boy to stay back, he “took an aggressive stance” toward the officer and “bladed his boy and began clenching his fists.”

LaCerra pepper-sprayed the teenager in the face and forced him to the ground. There more above 200 students present in the crowd, according to Krickovich and it was at that moment when many of them started to record the incidents on their phones.

The affidavit further stated that the officers feared for their safety and worked to detain the black teen on the ground in an attempt to curb the situation.

The video surfaced on the internet only in the weekend, with many calling for the officers in question to be fired or sued for brutality.

Social media EMERGED with #JusticeForLucca over the weekend. Besides, a petition on change.org was also filed, in which more than 35,000 people have signed.

Broward County Sheriff, Gregory Tony had sworn to take appropriate measures.

A viral video showing two white Broward County sheriffs violently banging an unarmed black teen’s head against the pavement has sparked debate and outrage across social media.

Thousands of people in Florida shared the videos of the incident on Twitter and Facebook over the weekend, with a hashtag #JusticeForLucca, demanding that officers be fired or prosecuted.

Following the increasing outrage online, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony reported that the department is conducting a “thorough investigation” and currently one of the officers captured in the viral video had been placed on restricted duty.

The unnamed teen was observed in many photos on social media with blood splattered across his face.

According to various media outlets and official affidavit, the officer identified as Krickovich said that he and his partner Sgt. Greg LaCerra received a call from a McDonald's Tamarac, Florida, during the afternoon on April 18, after employees reported a large group of teenagers gathered for a fight outside the fast-food chain.

In the affidavit, he explained that McDonald’s was a popular spot for school students who would gather after their classes. The scene is also famous for frequent fights.

When Krickovich and LaCerra arrived at the spot, they ordered the crowd of teens to disperse. They identified one of the perpetrators from a fight that occurred the previous day. He was reportedly warned not to trespass in the area again and took him to custody.

“While I was dealing with the male on the ground, I observed his phone slide to the right of me and then behind me. I observed a teen wearing a red tank top reach down and attempt to grab the male student’s phone,” Krickovich wrote, as reported by BuzzFeed News.

According to LaCerra, when he ordered the other boy to stay back, he “took an aggressive stance” toward the officer and “bladed his boy and began clenching his fists.”

LaCerra pepper-sprayed the teenager in the face and forced him to the ground. There more above 200 students present in the crowd, according to Krickovich and it was at that moment when many of them started to record the incidents on their phones.

The affidavit further stated that the officers feared for their safety and worked to detain the black teen on the ground in an attempt to curb the situation.

The video surfaced on the internet only in the weekend, with many calling for the officers in question to be fired or sued for brutality.

Social media EMERGED with #JusticeForLucca over the weekend. Besides, a petition on change.org was also filed, in which more than 35,000 people have signed.

Broward County Sheriff, Gregory Tony had sworn to take appropriate measures.

By Sowmya Sangam