An Eastern Kentucky University football player was arrested after he body-slammed a police officer to the ground. An employee at a logistics and engineering business in Grove City, Ohio called the police after Michael Harris, 19, refused to leave and started acting aggressively toward staff members.
The caller said that Harris "was being aggressive and that he did not seem to be 'all there.'"
When officers arrived, they confronted Harris in the parking lot of the building. Harris started rambling and tried to explain what he was doing, but kept giving different answers. They believed he was under the influence of drugs and were concerned when Harris decided to get into his vehicle.
"He's going through what we would call his progression of force, and they exercised extreme patience, but recognize when he goes for the car, that's a deal-breaker,"Lt. Eric Scott with the Grove City Police Department told ESPN. "We can't have that. The concern is that this person is either in a mental health crisis or under the influence of a drug. Because of his behavior, it was clear that that would be unsafe."
As Harris became increasingly aggressive, officers decided to take him into custody. He fought back, and when one of the officers tried to place him in handcuffs, the 6'3", 240-pound linebacker picked the officer up over his head and slammed him onto the ground.
Officers eventually handcuffed Harris, and he was taken to a hospital to get checked out, before being transferred to the Franklin County Jail. Inside his car, officers found a digital scale and various drugs.
Harris is facing charges of obstructing official business, felony assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Eastern Kentucky University said that Harris has been suspended from all team and football-related activities while they investigate the matter.
Police officials said that the officer was able to brace himself with his foot before hitting the ground and was not injured.