Man punches officer in the face for asking him to leave the park

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A violent suspect punched a DC police officer in the face and attempted to attack a second officer after they asked him to leave a basketball court on Sunday.

Although local basketball courts and playgrounds are closed due to the District of Columbiaโ€™s pandemic restrictions, a group of approximately 50 people were gathered at the recreation area,ย WTOPย reported.

When officers arrived to disperse the crowd, one bystander yelled at them about โ€œnot bothering the white people,โ€ while another man got within inches of an officerโ€™s face, cell phone footage showed.

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Clay Wendell, then suddenly lashed out and punched the officer in his face.

The officer managed to dodge the suspectโ€™s second blow but tumbled to the ground as he attempted to grab a hold of his attacker.

Wendell unsuccessfully threw a punch at a second officer when he tried to intervene, but immediately attempted to get away from the first officerโ€™s grasp when the second officer held up a can of pepper spray, the video showed.

The suspect took off from the officers on foot as the crowd of bystanders heckled police and cheered Wendellโ€™s escape. He was caught, arrested, charged for the assault among other charges, and will appear for a hearing on August 24th.

The officer who was punched was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. None of the gathered were cited.

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