‘Cruel and Unusual’: Detroit Man’s Bloody Taser Post Goes Viral as Police Release Bodycam Footage
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — A Detroit man’s viral Facebook post showing a bloody injury near his eye has ignited an online firestorm after he accused police of using “cruel and unusual” force during what he described as an unprovoked encounter. However, the Detroit Police Department (DPD) says body camera footage tells a very different story.
The incident unfolded on October 13, when Gjervon Rodney Williams, 20, who is currently on probation for multiple offenses, claimed he was tased in the face by officers who failed to identify themselves. His post, which quickly spread across social media, included images of cuts near his eyebrow and a lengthy statement demanding justice.
Williams’ Side: ‘They Never Said They Were Police’
In his Facebook post, Williams said he was sitting in his car at a tire shop near 7 Mile Road and Hubbell Avenue around 3 p.m. when two men approached him. According to his account, they did not identify themselves as police officers and had no visible squad car nearby.
“They just said, ‘Mr. Williams, you have warrants,’” he wrote. “I didn’t know who they were, so I asked, ‘Mr. Williams who?’”
Williams claimed he ran out of confusion but later surrendered with his hands up—and that’s when one of the men shot him in the head and eye with a taser, sending “over 1,500 volts” through his body.
He said the incident left him with stitches on his eyelid and eyebrow and worsened his pre-existing epilepsy, adding that he now faces partial vision loss in his right eye.
“What was done to me was cruel and unusual,” he wrote. “I will not stop until justice is served.”
Police: He Ran From a Lawful Arrest
Detroit Police Captain Timothy Jones disputed Williams’ version of events, stating that officers acted within protocol and that the viral post misrepresented what happened.
“When you see a video on social media, people jump to conclusions,” Jones said. “Policing doesn’t always look good, especially when force is used. But these officers were professional and gave him the chance to do the right thing.”
Jones said that around 4:25 p.m., officers from the 12th Precinct were traveling west on 7 Mile when they ran a warrant check on a nearby vehicle. The search revealed the registered owner—Williams—had two outstanding felony warrants.
Before officers could initiate a formal traffic stop, Williams pulled into a tire shop. Police, driving an unmarked scout car but wearing black tactical uniforms labeled “POLICE,” approached him.
According to Jones, Williams initially denied his identity, giving officers a false name. Once they confirmed who he was, they informed him he was under arrest. Williams allegedly ran through the neighborhood, attempting to jump a fence.
“As he was coming down, his back was turned toward the officer,” Jones explained. “The officer discharged the taser, and simultaneously, Williams turned around — that’s why he was struck in the eyebrow.”
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Witnesses and Surveillance Footage Support Police Account
Employees at the tire shop confirmed that Williams had pulled in asking for help with his tire before being approached by the officers. Moments later, they said, he took off running.
The shop provided police with multiple surveillance angles, showing Williams standing by his car, speaking with officers, and later running toward a nearby alley.
Jones added that medics checked Williams at the scene and found no medical emergency requiring hospitalization.
Taser Strike Under Review
DPD acknowledged that tasing a suspect near the head or neck violates department training, even if accidental. “They’re taught not to aim toward the face,” Jones said. “But because of his movement while fleeing, he was accidentally struck there.”
The department’s Force Investigation Unit has opened an inquiry into the incident, and the officer involved remains on active duty while the review is underway.
Online Debate Over Policing and Public Perception
The viral post has sparked widespread discussion about use of force, transparency, and police communication. While some social media users called for an independent investigation, others defended the officers, citing Williams’ criminal history and the evidence shared by DPD.
Jones urged the public to wait for the full investigation before making judgments. “Bodycam footage doesn’t lie,” he said. “It’s important for people to see the whole story, not just a viral post.”
As of this week, the department has not announced disciplinary action, but officials say the case remains under internal review.
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