JONESBORO, Ark. — Content warning: The following article describes and includes video of an incident that contains violence and disturbing footage.
A Jonesboro police officer has been fired after he was seen on footage repeatedly striking a detained passenger.
The Jonesboro Police Department announced Friday on social media that Joseph Harris was "terminated effective immediately."
In the video, a detained man seen in a hospital gown tells officers he has fentanyl wrapped inside aluminum foil that he ate. He grows agitated and upset while pleading with officers to listen before wrapping a seat belt around his neck to choke himself.
Harris can be seen entering the backseat of the police vehicle to repeatedly punch and elbow the detained man. After removing the seat belt, Harris would then slam the door with the man's head hanging off the side of the seat.
"The serious nature of the complaint necessitated prompt action," the department said. No charges against the officer have been announced at this time.
As part of their investigation, the police department released the footage from the back of the police vehicle.
We are linking it below, but we are warning that there is severe violence and harmful images in this video.
We will update this article with more information as it becomes available.
