Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video Contradicts NYPD In Case Of Beaten Bronx Teen
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 5, 2012
Modified May 5, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 5, 2012
Modified May 5, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Bronx DA's office previously announced that the police officers who beat 19-year-old Bronx resident Jateik Reed in January weren't being investigated for committing a crime, despite the fact that authorities dropped the drug-related charges against Reed. That may change now that NY1 has obtained a surveillance tape that shows that police likely did not have reasonable suspicion to stop Reed, contradicting sworn police statements that Reed had bags of drugs that he threw on the ground.
"Even if you don't have 20/20 vision. Even if you have some substantial clarity, you can see quite clear there was nothing, there were no bags in Jateik Reed's hands," Reed's attorney, Michael Warren says. Retired NYPD captain John Eterno expressed doubt that the officers had enough reason to stop and frisk Reed.
"The officers would have to only go in their pockets if they had reasonable suspicion, if there was a weapon in there," Eterno says. "And given what I've seen on the film I'm not sure they had that reasonable suspicion."
The new video also shows that Reed did not throw a punch, as was alleged by officers, and a female officer is seen kicking Reed while he is handcuffed and in custody. "They were looking to protect themselves for assaulting this young man, appearing to brutalize him. And so there was an effort to me to cover up what happened," Colleen Meenan, a lawyer and former NYPD sergeant says.
The officers are on modified duty while the NYPD continues to conduct its internal investigation. The DA's office says that Reed won't speak to them about pressing charges against the officers, but Warren notes that the video itself should suffice.
Here's the initial footage of Reed being beaten by NYPD officers.
Tagged
bronx
jateik reed
nypd
police brutality
stop and frisk
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .