In a state where tension is increasing over the force of police officers, the FBI is adding another police officer to their investigation. Bryce Masters was driving this past Sunday, when he was pulled over by Officer Tim Runnels, who has been an Independence officer for three years. Runnels pulled over Masters because the license plate check revealed an active warrant for its owner. That owner was not in the vehicle with Masters. Per police reports, an altercation occurred outside of the vehicle and Runnels deployed his taser. Now the teen is in a medically induced coma, in critical condition as relatives demand answers to a spotty report.
Witnesses
The Kansas City Star reported witnesses shared Masters could not roll down his car window, and was tased inside of his vehicle by Runnels, then pulled and dropped to the pavement by the officer. Witnesses reported Masters’ head was slammed against the pavement, and as he was writhing on the ground, Runnels was putting his foot on the teen with pressure.
One witness told Fox Kansas City she grabbed her phone to record what had happened. She stated she saw the officer “stand” on the teen’s body, before dragging the lifeless teen and putting him on the sidewalk. She said he was going into “convulsions” and “had blood coming out.”
Another witness reported the cop told Masters he was under arrest and the teen wanted to know why, but then the officer grabbed him. The reports by police indicate Masters was removed from the car before being tased, but witnesses state the teen was tased in the vehicle.
Police had stated Masters resisted arrest, but witnesses had denied the report.
Paul Thurman, the spokesman for the police department shared the officer deployed his taser when Masters became uncooperative. Police have not detailed or confirmed witness reports on Masters being dropped to the ground and injuring his head, or if Runnels stood on the convulsing teen.
Hospitalization and investigation
Masters was rushed to the hospital after the incident, listed in critical condition in the ICU. Due to the extent of his head injuries including swelling of his brain, the teen was placed in a medically induced coma.
Daniel Haus, the family’s attorney released a statement saying the family requested a civil rights investigation, due to “significant inconsistencies” presented by police versus witness reports and cell phone footage captured by a witness.
Masters’ brother, Colin spoke to 41 Action News and said the family is having a difficult time understanding the situation. The father of the teen is a Kansas City Police officer, and wants the independent investigation to find out the truth. Colin also shared the status on his brother is “looking a little better” but the hospital won’t “take him off until tonight or tomorrow” so the family will know more, then.
Runnels was placed on administration leave, pending the results of the investigation. Thurman stated based on his review the “Taser was in policy.”
Just let them go and see how society takes the law in their own hands. Does 2 state police officers being ambused in Pa serve as a notice that people will seek revenge when they fed up with police actions?
I’m getting really scared. Seeing things like this makes me think I need a gun to protect myself from cops. That’s just the truth.
It is actually quite humorous seeing one their own get trounced for a change.
I cannot believe another EGOTISTICAL CRAZY COP has done it again… What in the world is going on. How can this keep happening and nothing is done about these A-HOLES getting away with murder and wrecking havoc on people’s lives like this!!! How many more and how long??? They are worse than the mafia or gangs because they hide behind a badge and get away with it.
You’re an imbecile. You dont know all the facts.
Hey Flip, we do know all the facts moron. There were several people that witnessed what the scumbag pig did. Let me guess stroons, you’re a pig. Right. Well fuck you pig. I hope this piece of shit pig spends the rest of his life in jail
you are an imbecile
And if it were your 17 year old son with critical brain injury laying in the ICU, with witnesses and video of the cop assaulting him? You’re the imbecile. Shut up.
Not too many serpicos around, willing to make waves in the pd. Notice the police spokesman just backs this cop up. Their just a gang of thugs running around killing and injuring ppl. A little stat. to think about, police have now killed more Americans since 911 than the wars in middle east have killed soldiers, since 911. It is now a life and death situation any time there’s a meeting with police.
The pigs are out of control. If nothing is done, this will only get worse. The pigs need to be arrested and charged when they harass, assault, kidnap, or murder someone. The pigs who try and help cover for them, need to be arrested and charged with being accomplices. How many assaults and deaths will it take people?
To those out their that want to talk about a few bad apples and all the good cops on the force, I have this to say. Where are all the good cops when the pigs are committing crimes? Where are all the good cops when the pigs are covering up there crimes? If these so called good cops are so good, why do they turn blind eyes to the pigs?