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Lafayette police tactics questioned after viral traffic stop video
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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- A Lafayette family is questioning the tactics of the Lafayette Police Department after they were involved in an encounter with officers during a traffic stop violation. Lafayette Police confirmed to that a complaint was filed today by the family.
A video of the encounter went viral on social media, showing the incident escalating between officers and the family. The incident happened around 6 p.m. Saturday evening. Keilon McZeal, Ebony Manuel and Donavon Celestine were all placed in handcuffs during the incident. McZeal said he and Celestine were leaving from Big Boys corner store in northern Lafayette, when they noticed a marked police unit following them. McZeal said he and Celestine continued to drive to their home, where police followed them to the home. From there, things took a dark turn.
In the video filmed by Manuel, you can see Lafayette Police pointing a taser at McZeal while he is on the ground with his hands behind his head. McZeal said he was tased twice by police and that he felt the traffic stop was targeted.
“As I’m still feeling it, I drop down to my knees, I put my head behind my back, he’s telling me too many things at one time, I’m confused on what he was going to do,” said McZeal.
You could also see officers placing Celestine in handcuffs. Officers then walked over to the police and put him into the back, however things continued to escalate. Donavon’s sister, Manuel, said she ran to the truck to try to stop the officer, but ended up also being placed in handcuffs for what she said was interfering with an investigation.
“I ran to see why that truck was rocking, when I got on the window you can see him literally punching him, just punching him in his stomach, kneeing him in his sides, kneeing him in his private part, because he was actually in between his legs,” said Manuel.
After the incident, the family said Manuel and McZeal bonded out, and Celestine was let go on a summons, and will appear in court at a later date. was supposed to get into work Sunday after the incident, but did no call no show, because of being in jail. McZeal said he is currently awaiting a response from his job on when and if he can return to work.
Gloria Celestine, Donavon’s mother, said while she is grateful Donavon and Keilon are still alive, they are not sweeping the incident under the rug, and are seeking to hold Lafayette Police accountable.
“If they would have stopped further up, we would probably be doing balloon releases right now, they’re not getting away with it, you messed with the wrong family,” said Gloria.
Lafayette Police said that since a complaint has been filed, the Office of Internal Affairs is reviewing the incident. Because of the review, Lafayette Police said they cannot disclose any other information at this time. This is a developing story.