Three police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were placed on paid administrative leave after they were reportedly harassing Koy Moore, a wide receiver for the Louisiana State University Tigers soccer team.
Moore detailed the accusation of police harassment in social media late Saturday night. In a statement posted on Twitter on Sunday, Moore said he had been “abused” by the officers after they allegedly assumed he had a firearm.
“Last night I was approached by police officers who threatened me with a firearm under the assumption that I had a firearm and drugs. (yelled ‘Where’s your gun?’)” Moore tweeted. “I was raped several times, even trying to open my pants in search of a gun, which I repeatedly told them I didn’t have.
Moore continued: “When I tried to go live for a video documentary of the harassment, they grabbed my phone. I could have lost my life, and I know for a fact that nothing would have happened to the perpetrators. While some celebrate the election of a new president, they understand that the real problem has not changed. If I hadn’t told those incompetent officers that I was an LSU soccer player, I don’t know if I would have been here to tell the story!
LSU coach Ed Orgeron posted a statement on Twitter on Sunday night regarding Moore’s allegations.
“I am aware of the serious statements Koy Moore made in social media on Saturday night about police officer injury,” Orgeron wrote. “LSU and Baton Rouge police are investigating the incident.”
“While I cannot comment on the investigation, I can say that we must work together to overcome our differences,” Orgeron continued. “We must listen, learn and come together to fight social injustice and racism if we are to create a safer and more just society for all.
The University resumed Orgeron’s statement early Monday morning, adding that they had been “made aware of the situation” and “reflect the mood shared by Orgeron.
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome also posted a statement on Twitter on Monday, saying that her office was informed of the incident and had contacted Police Chief Murphy Paul.
“My office has been alerted to a situation involving the BRPD and an LSU student,” Broome wrote. “After being notified, I contacted Chief Paul; he assured me that his department was thoroughly investigating the matter and he contacted the student.
Paul reportedly initiated an investigation into the matter by the Internal Affairs Department and sent the three officers involved on paid administrative leave during the investigation of the incident, according to a statement made to Paul Gerron Jordan, a local NBC33 and Fox44 news anchor.
Paul’s statement also stated that the police department is assuring a thorough investigation of Moore’s allegations.
“As in every case, we will gather all available evidence and conduct interviews,” Paul said. “Accountability and transparency are crucial to building trust in the community. I am committed to a thorough investigation of this complaint,” Paul said.
The Baton Rouge Police Department did not respond in time for publication to Washington Newsday’s request for a statement….
