Md. cop suspended, accused of filming, posting former NBA player Delonte West in handcuffs

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (ABC7) — Prince George’s County Police are investigating after an officer recorded and allegedly posted a video of Delonte West after a fight in the middle of Oxon Hill Road, sources tell ABC7.

A disturbing video circulating online shows former NBA star and Maryland native Delonte West in a fight with a friend after the two were kicked out of MGM.

One video circulating on social media, shows the 8-year NBA veteran getting brutally beaten in the middle of the street. He is repeatedly punched and even stomped in the head.

Sources tell ABC7 that West had previously hit the other man in the head with a bottle.

In a separate video, West appears to be speaking to a police officer and ranting while handcuffed on a curb, shirtless. He says that his assailant approached him with a gun.

West has an admitted history of mental health problems and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Tuesday, the Prince George’s County Police Department says they are now investigating after learning the video depicting him in handcuffs was recorded by a police officer. "The circumstances surrounding the recording and release of that video are now the subject of an internal investigation."

In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Police Chief Hank Stawinski said the officer who is accused of releasing the video has been suspended and "will be dealt with harshly" if it's determined that evidence was mishandled.

West has an admitted history of mental health problems and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Police responded to the fight Monday morning.

In a statement released byPrince George’s County Police they said, "When officers arrived on the scene, the two men were already separated and no longer involved in a physical altercation. Officers observed that one of the men was bleeding from his face and made the decision to handcuff the second male while the patrol officers began their on-scene investigation."

Both men refused medical assistance.

Authorities said, "They both refused to press charges against each other and refused to cooperate with detectives."

No weapons were recovered.