TEMPLE, TX — The Temple Police Department is continuing the investigation into the Thursday morning arrest of Kenneth Wright.
“One of my goals when I arrived was to be open and transparent with the public about our work in the Police Department,” Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds said. “We will maintain communication and dialogue around this important issue as the investigation continues.”
After an initial review of video of the incident, the Temple Police Department has identified an initial timeline of key events that occurred.
They said that it is important to note that this timeline is not a play-by-play of the entire event, but is intended to identify key portions of time during the event.
- 3:12:00 – Officer Michael Sapp makes voluntary contact with 55-year-old Wright and checks his identification.
- 3:17:03 – Dispatch confirms that the suspect has four outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
- 3:17:23 – Officer Zachary Quick arrives on scene. Sapp tells the suspect he is being detained and attempts to place him in handcuffs. The suspect begins to resist and evades officers.
- 3:17:31 – Sapp catches up to the suspect in front of the vehicle and attempts to take him to the ground. The suspect continues to resist.
- 3:17:32-37 – The suspect states he cannot breathe. Sapp and Quick repeatedly give the suspect commands to get on the ground.
- 3:17:43-3:18:17 – Sapp and Quick get the suspect on the ground and the suspect continues to resist and states he can’t breathe. Officers repeatedly tell him to put his hands behind his back.
- 3:18:22 – Suspect continues to resist. Sapp tells Quick to get his Taser out, to which the suspect responds, “For what, man? For what?" and continues to resist.
- 3:18:28 – Quick applies a drive stun.
- 3:18:54-3:19:02 – Handcuffs are applied to the suspect. Sapp advises the suspect he is under arrest for warrants.
- 3:19:16 – Sapp requests a supervisor and EMS to respond to the scene.
- 3:21:03 – The suspect complains that his back is hurting. Sapp tells the suspect that an ambulance is en route.
- 3:30:40 – EMS arrives on scene and officers assist the suspect onto a stretcher. EMS administers aid.
- 3:52:00 – EMS transports suspect to hospital.
Police said they were notified Friday that the suspect was treated for a neck fracture and was expected to be released that same day. It is unclear if the suspect’s injuries were sustained during the event or were preexisting.
“While initially there appears to be no misapplication of force, given the suspect’s reported injury, it is imperative that we review the details of what occurred and ensure appropriate actions were taken by officers,” Reynolds said. “I have ordered an Internal Affairs investigation that we will give priority to.”
Each individual use of force by a Temple Police officer is documented and reviewed by supervisors to determine whether it was appropriate and reasonable based on the circumstances at the time.
The Texas Occupations Code generally prohibits release to the public of a recording created with a body worn camera that is related to an administrative or criminal investigation of a police officer until all criminal matters have been finally adjudicated and any administrative investigations have concluded.
Police also said that the Internal Affairs investigation is not a criminal investigation, but rather an administrative review of the incident. They said that Chief Reynolds intends to release video of the incident when the administrative investigation is complete, should the facts of the case not change.
