Police Officer Suspended After Video Shows Him Punching Shirtless Man More Than 20 Times During Roadside Arrest

A police officer has been placed on administrative leave after disturbing footage showed him repeatedly punching a shirtless man in the head and face during an arrest in Washington state.

The incident happened on October 28, 2026, along Auburn Way North in Auburn, near Seattle. The video, released by the Auburn Police Department, shows Officer Andrew Bryant confronting a man identified by his family as Mauro Alberto Felix Valles.

Police said officers were responding to reports of a man running in and out of traffic and attempting to get inside passing vehicles.

When Bryant arrived, he ordered the man to get on the ground and warned that he would use a Taser if he refused. The officer subsequently deployed the device, sending the man to the pavement.

But what followed has sparked widespread criticism.

More than 20 punches captured on camera

Body-camera footage shows Bryant straddling the man as he attempted to handcuff him. A struggle developed, and the officer began repeatedly striking the man’s head and face.

The body camera was knocked off during the confrontation, but its audio continued recording. Traffic cameras and other footage captured more of the encounter.

Reports reviewing the recordings counted more than 20 punches, with the strikes continuing intermittently for approximately 32 seconds.

Throughout the struggle, the shirtless man could be heard shouting words including “No,” “Please” and “I’m sorry.”

A bystander also appeared to shout that the man was on drugs and could not understand the officer’s commands.

It eventually took four officers to restrain and handcuff him.

Officer says he feared the man had grabbed his gun

After the arrest, Bryant told another officer that he believed the man had reached for his service w𝔢𝔞𝔭𝔬η or holster.

“I think he grabbed my gun. I’m not 100% sure,” Bryant said in footage recorded after the confrontation.

He added that he believed the man had tried to grab his holster, which prompted him to begin delivering strikes.

The department said the man had resisted commands and that a physical struggle followed the Taser deployment.

Bryant also sustained injuries to his hands and was taken to hospital. The man was transported for medical treatment as well.

His family later said he had suffered a concussion and other physical trauma. They also said he had been experiencing a mєntal health crisis at the time of the encounter.

Charges against the man dismissed

The man was initially booked on allegations including disorderly conduct, obstruction, attempted assault of a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance.

However, the Auburn City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the pending charges without prejudice on November 5.

That means prosecutors may still bring charges later if additional evidence supports them.

The dismissal came as the footage drew growing public attention and questions about the officer’s use of force.

Civil rights attorney Evan Oshan called for Bryant to resign and asked state authorities to revoke his law enforcement certification. He also submitted a civil rights complaint to the Washington Attorney General and the US Attorney’s Office.

Independent investigation underway

Auburn police confirmed that Bryant had been placed on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation into whether his actions complied with policy.

The Renton Police Department is also conducting an independent review to determine whether the officer violated any criminal laws.

The investigation will examine the events leading up to the arrest, the struggle itself and whether the force used was legally justified.

The case has sparked renewed debate over police use of force, particularly when officers encounter people who may be experiencing a medical or mєntal health crisis.

For now, Bryant remains on administrative leave, and investigators have yet to announce a final determination about his conduct.