Pure Intimidation': U.S. Marshal Points Rifle for Several Minutes at Man Videotaping Nephew's Arrest, Incident Goes Viral

A cellphone video of a U.S. marshal pointing a rifle for several minutes at an arrest witness has gone viral, resulting in threats against the marshal and calls for disciplinary action, WMAC-TV in Memphis reported.

Image source: Facebook

The original clip of Tuesday's incident was posted to Facebook where it's been viewed more than 1.5 million times, WMAC said.

As marshals took Bobby Gibbs into custody, his uncle, Corterian Wright, told WMAC he began videotaping the arrest outside a Memphis apartment.

Image source: Facebook

Suddenly, a marshal is seen on the video pointing a rifle at Wright.

Image source: Facebook

When he and others asked why the rifle was being pointed, one of the marshals answered, "We ain't gettin' shot," which the bystanders said was ridiculous.

"Go back in the house," the marshal pointing the rifle said.

As the marshal moved toward the vehicle waiting to transport Gibbs, he activated the rifle's light while continuing to point the weapon.

Image source: Facebook

Toward the end of the clip, Wright told the marshal, "Your ass ain't gonna be workin' that long" — after which the marshal appeared to smile during a brief spoken reply.

Image source: Facebook

Here's a new posting of the clip via Facebook. (Content warning: Profanity):

In a statement to WMAC, the U.S. Marshals Service said members of the task force "were there to arrest a fugitive wanted for several violent felonies including aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping. The fugitive was in an apartment which posed an unknown threat to task force members on the scene. As the fugitive emerged from the residence, he was taken into custody."

"In accordance with USMS policy, task force members secured the scene until the fugitive was secure and transported. Once the fugitive was transported, task force members left the area," the statement said.

Wright said the marshal who pointed his rifle at him should be reprimanded. "It was like 12 officers in all,” he told WMAC. “Out of 12, 11 were very professional."

Wright added that he was concerned about a pregnant woman at the scene, Lafestia Keely.

“I was afraid for my life,” Keely told WMAC, adding, "Everyone had their hands up."

"I know it's proper procedures for them to make sure they're secured and safe," Wright added to the station, "but after they secured my nephew and put him in the car, you made a statement by keeping your gun pointed and you turned your light on me."

Image source: Facebook

Black Lives Matter activist Tami Sawyer told WMAC the move by the marshal was “pure intimidation."

"When you were done messing with them, you turned your back on them,” Sawyer added. “He didn't back up with the gun. He turned around and got in the car. So how afraid were you really?"

That's not how former West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert sees it. Paudert — whose son Brandon, also an officer, was fatally shot during a traffic stop in 2010 — said the marshal's reaction was correct, especially given the present anti-police climate.

"We're being ambushed constantly around this country,” Paudert told WMAC. “They've got to take precautions. I think they did exactly what they should do so they could go home at night."

Wright, however, wants something done.

"They're going to wait until somebody's killed and then take action?" he asked.

This story has been updated.

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