
Image source: YouTube screenshot
The Miami firefighter caught on video punching a handcuffed patient for spitting at him is unlikely to face prosecution, a law enforcement source told the Miami Herald.
Video shows the patient — identified in a police report as Antonio Cruz — brought on a stretcher to the Jackson Memorial Hospital emergency room Oct. 15 after consuming cocaine and heroin, WTVJ-TV said.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Cruz was "agitated and screaming to the rescue personnel," police said, according to WTVJ, which added that Cruz an be seen in the video spitting in the direction of a firefighter's face.
With that, the firefighter swung at and repeatedly punched Cruz, the station said, as the firefighter's colleagues tried to stop him.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
The City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue said in a statement that the firefighter — Robert Webster, a lieutenant — was immediately relieved of duty following incident, WTVJ reported, and an investigation commenced.
Cruz was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, the Herald said, adding that Miami-Dade Corrections records showed he remained jailed Wednesday.
Webster told WTVJ he doesn't regret his actions — and added that "if he never knew the consequence of spitting in a grown man’s face, then consider my actions public education and this video a [public service announcement]."
Firefighter Caught PUNCHING Handcuffed Patient in Miami Emergency Room | NBC 6 Newsyoutu.be
Commenters responding to the YouTube video of Webster's punch seem to support his actions: