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2 Buffalo officers charged with second-degree assault

The officers are accused of taking steps that led a 75-year-old activist to fall backward, striking his head on the sidewalk

By Police1 Staff

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Two Buffalo Police officers were arraigned Saturday morning on second-degree assault charges following their suspension after being accused of injuring an activist during one of dozens of protests over the death of George Floyd, reports The Buffalo News.

The Buffalo officers, part of a contingent in tactical gear ordered to clear Niagara Square after a citywide curfew started at 8 p.m., are accused of taking steps that led 75-year-old Martin Gugino to fall backward, striking his head on the sidewalk. Video of the incident was shot by a WBFO reporter.

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Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said Friday that the 75-year-old man was an “agitator” who had been asked to leave the area “numerous” times, according to Fox News. All 57 members of the Buffalo Police Department Emergency Response Team resigned in support of the two officers after they were suspended.

Both officers pled not guilty to the charges.