Witness speaks out on use-of-force investigation involving two Columbia police officers

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A use-of-force investigation is underway by the Boone County Sheriff's Office and the Columbia Police Department.

The investigation has kicked off after a video was circulated online showing a Columbia police officer punch a man in the face several times in front of Harpo's bar over the weekend.

Charleston Foster was in the area of South Tenth Street when the incident happened and recorded the events on his cellphone.

Foster says he turned a corner Downtown and saw two security guards pinning a man to the ground. He said about 30 seconds later, police came.

"They had finally got his hands behind his back and that is when he had moved one of his arms as you can see in the end of the first video." Foster said. "But then that is when they got them behind his back. And that is when the officer started punching him in the face and then I saw blood, then they tazed him two more times."

Foster says, he did not hear the other officer involved in the incident tell the other officer to stop punching the man. Foster claims the man on the ground was unsure of what was happening.

"He was constantly saying I don't know what's going on can you tell me what's going on. Then he continued to say before I get killed." Foster said. "I'm like that's a very serious thing right there. Two officers after two security guards and two officers are on top of you and you're getting maced, tased and punched in the face I would really want to know what's going on also.

Foster says he has watched the video several times.

"Countless times, it's been all over it's very surprising. Like very scary and not something I would want my kids or my family anybody really should have to go through that or see that." Foster said.

The names of the two officers involved, as well as the man who was punched were not revealed. ABC 17 News reached out to CPD.