Off-Duty Police Officer Caught on Camera Brutally Beating 72-Year-Old Neighbor
In a disturbing incident captured on camera, an off-duty police officer was filmed brutally beating his 72-year-old neighbor after a confrontation over a supposed car incident. The incident took place on Furnace Colony Drive in Pembroke, Massachusetts, and has sparked outrage in the community.
The distressing video shows the elderly victim, Harry Horsley, on the ground while Officer Scott Saunders, a 36-year-old 18-year police veteran, repeatedly punches him in the face. Other residents on the street recorded the incident, capturing the shocking attack.
New cell phone video obtained by Boston 25 allegedly shows an off duty Hull Police Officer assaulting his 72-year-old neighbor in Pembroke. https://t.co/ANUrrzcFhe pic.twitter.com/VszdPo4Z7V
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) August 2, 2023
According to Horsley, Saunders had allegedly struck his car with a paddleboard. When Horsley approached him and asked why he hit his car, a confrontation ensued, leading to Saunders violently attacking the elderly man. Horsley recalls being knocked down and having to protect himself from further blows.
Saunders, on the other hand, claimed that it was Horsley who initiated the fight and even alleged that the senior man punched him in the face. However, the footage contradicts this account, clearly showing Saunders on top of Horsley in a mount position.
The police report states that Saunders pushed Horsley with both hands, causing him to fall backward onto the ground. The report further describes Saunders straddling Horsley and throwing a punch to his face before getting up and walking away.
The incident left Horsley with cuts, swelling, and bruises to his face. His injuries included a cut to the left side of his face, a bloody nose, and bruising around his eye, among others. The severity of the attack against a senior citizen has sparked outrage and calls for justice.
The Hull Police Department has initiated an internal affairs investigation into the incident and notified the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. Officer Scott Saunders has been charged with assault and battery on a person over 60. He is currently on leave pending further legal proceedings and is scheduled to appear in court in September.
Harry Horsley, the 72-year-old victim, expressed his disbelief and shock at the incident, stating that he expected better treatment from a police officer. Here I am, 72 years old, I shouldn’t be taking a punch from anybody, let alone a police sergeant, Horsley said.
The community is demanding accountability and swift action against Officer Saunders. This incident has once again raised concerns about police use of force and the treatment of citizens, particularly the elderly.
As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial to ensure that justice is served, and appropriate measures are taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The appalling nature of this incident highlights the need for increased accountability and reforms within law enforcement agencies.
It remains to be seen how this case will proceed, but one thing is clear: the incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a reassessment of the actions of those entrusted to protect and serve. The pursuit of justice for Harry Horsley and the community as a whole will undoubtedly be closely watched.
