The Rochester Police Department has dropped charges against a city man who was arrested while videotaping an arrest for obstruction of governmental administration.
Police Chief La’Ron Singletary says that charge against 21-year-old Tobias Massey wasn’t justified, since he didn’t interfere with the officers as they made their arrest.
The incident began when a 23-year-old city man was walking erratically down Bay Street near North Goodman Street about 12:30 Sunday morning. He smashed a bottle on the street and police say he seemed to be in distress.
The man began shouting at police officers who approached him, asking if they were going to kill him and calling for them to do it. He struggled when they tried to restrain him and bit one of the officers.
He was taken to the hospital for treatment, then booked on an assault charge after being released.
Massey heard the commotion outside his home and began shooting video of the arrest. When he approached the officers, they arrested him on the obstructing charge. He suffered a minor hand injury.
Massey said he was afraid for his life during the incident, and was only doing what he had a right to do. He wants more training for police officers.
Chief Singletary says he’s reviewed the footage taken by Massey and by police body cameras and says Massey did nothing wrong. He says the department’s Professional Standards Section will review both arrests.