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Seattle teen apologizes for shoving cop who punched her

The 17-year-old girl has been charged as a juvenile with third-degree assault

Canadian Press

SEATTLE — A Seattle teen shown on video shoving a police officer who then punched her in the face has apologized to the officer in a private meeting.

Seattle police say Officer Ian Walsh accepted the apology yesterday.

Separately, the King County prosecutor charged the 17-year-old girl as a juvenile with third-degree assault, which is punishable by a maximum 30 days in detention.

The incident happened Monday as the teen was intervening in a friend’s arrest for jaywalking.

James Kelley of the Urban League of Seattle says he requested yesterday’s meeting between the teen and the officer at a community center to help calm the situation.

Police meantime, say the department’s civilian-led Office of Professional Accountability is investigating the 39-year-old officer’s actions.

Copyright 2010 The Canadian Press