Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has dismissed a felony assault charge against Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Joseph Gibson, who slammed a 71-year-old man to the ground, causing severe injuries, during a traffic dispute.
Incident Details
The altercation occurred on October 27, following a minor traffic accident. Body-worn camera footage shows Sgt. Gibson throwing Lich Vu, 71, to the ground after Vu touched him during an argument. Vu sustained a brain bleed, a broken neck, and a fractured eye socket.
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna had filed an aggravated assault and battery charge against Gibson earlier this month, labeling his actions an “unreasonable use of force.”
Attorney General’s Justification
AG Drummond intervened, dismissing the charges on Friday, stating that Gibson acted within his police training.
“As attorney general, I will not permit Oklahoma police officers to face criminal prosecution for conduct adhering to their training,” Drummond said. He acknowledged the devastating impact on Vu and his family but argued that there was no criminal intent in Gibson’s actions.
Drummond added that Vu should not have touched the officer, emphasizing, “No individual is allowed to hit or push an officer, regardless of whether they don’t understand English or come from a different culture.”
Community Outrage and Response
The incident has sparked outrage within Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community, where advocates point to the video footage showing Vu struggling to understand Gibson during their interaction. Many view the use of force as excessive, given Vu’s apparent confusion and limited English proficiency.
Mark Nelson, president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, expressed hope for Vu’s recovery but defended officers’ decision-making under pressure. “Unfortunately, when someone resists law enforcement, they increase the risk of harm to themselves or others,” Nelson stated.
Diverging Views Between Officials
DA Behenna criticized Drummond’s decision, stating she was “surprised and disappointed” by his intervention. She had previously determined that Gibson’s actions constituted an unreasonable use of force.
Gibson’s attorney, Mike Hunter, a former Oklahoma attorney general, praised the dismissal, calling it a “well-reasoned and correct” decision.
