Morgantown Police Release Body Cam Footage from Thursday Night Arrest

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Morgantown Police Department has released body cam footage from a Thursday night arrest on High St.

At approximately 11:55 pm on February 2nd, Morgantown Police officers responded to a reported domestic violence incident at Fat Daddy’s Bar & Grill. 911 callers reported that a male was attempting to drag his ex-girlfriend out of the bar against her will.

When officers arrived on the scene, they located the involved parties nearby. The first officer on scene located the suspect, who was later identified as Massinissa Belkadi, a 20-year-old man from Stafford, VA.

Belkadi was uncooperative with the officer and refused to answer the officer or comply with his requests. After several moments of refusal to engage with the officer, Belkadi was asked to stand up from his seated position, which he also refused to do.

The officer then lifted Belkadi from his seated position and attempted to place Belkadi’s hands behind his back to be handcuffed. However, Belkadi actively resisted the officer by grabbing the officer’s arm and attempting to turn back toward the officer.

The officer responded to Belkadi’s resistance by taking him to the ground, where he could be safely controlled and handcuffed.

Belkadi sustained an abrasion to his cheekbone and forehead as a result of the interaction. Mon EMS responded to evaluate and treat Belkadi, but he denied any further medical treatment.

Belkadi was charged with obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication. The investigation into the domestic violence incident Belkadi was involved in is still ongoing.

The Morgantown Police Department has provided body cam footage of the arrest. To view the footage, please click this link.

To read the Morgantown Police Department's use of force policy and procedures, click here.

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