3 officers on leave after LSU football player says he was ‘violated’ during search
LSU football player Koy Moore posted about the incident with Baton Rouge police officers on Instagram.
A young college football player is using his platform to call out Baton Rouge police.
Koy Moore, a wide receiver freshman at Louisiana State University, took to his Instagram account on Monday to call out police because they accused him of having a weapon and even went as far as trying to “unzip” his pants to search for it. Now three officers are out on paid leave.
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Moore posted a photo to his over 14k followers of two officers walking towards police cars in what looks like a parking garage.
“Last night I was approached by policeman they pulled guns on me assuming I had a gun and drugs, (screaming where’s your gun?) I was violated numerous times even as going as far as trying to unzip my pants in search of a weapon that I repeatedly told them I did not have,” he captioned.
“As I tried to go live for video documentation of the harassment they snatched my phone I could’ve lost my life and I know for a fact nothing would’ve happened to the guys who did it.. as some celebrate the election of a new president understand the real problem have not changed. If I didn’t tell those incompetent officers that I was a LSU football player there’s is no telling if I would’ve been here to tell the story! Yesterday wasn’t a victory for America it was only a distraction.”
By Moore’s account of what happened, it appears as if he was the victim of racial profiling. There is little information about what happened before the aggressive search but due to the string of deaths that commonly occur when Black men are confronted by police, Moore felt he had more than enough reason to worry. The police and LSU are investigating the matter.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said the school is collaborating with police to investigate.
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“While i cannot comment on the investigation, what I can say is that we must work collectively to embrace our differences,” wrote Orgeron on Twitter. “We have to listen, learn and come together to combat social injustice and racism if we are able to create a safer and more equitable society for all people.”
Police Chief Murphy Paul of Baton Rouge Police commented about Moore’s claim on Twitter and says there will be a full investigation. He added three officers are on paid leave during the investigation process.
“We appreciate Mr. Moore bringing this incident to our attention. As in every case, we will be collecting all available evidence and conducting interviews. Accountability and transparency are critical in building trust with the community. I pledge a thorough investigation into this complaint,” he wrote.
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