Bus Confrontation Caught on Video in Bellflower

A passenger shot the video on his cell phone

Update: Woman in Bus Video Had Mental Health Issues, History of Violence: Sheriff


When Jermaine Green and his fiancee Violet Roberts got on a Metro bus in Bellflower Monday night, they took notice of another passenger.

"The lady got on the bus with a stroller full of pillows, she was very polite, said hello to everyone and sat down," Green said.

At the next stop, two LA County sheriff's deputies, one male and one female, boarded the bus and called the passenger by name.

"They said get off the bus. She then started cursing at (the female deputy). You could tell she had special needs. After that they grab her, she curses him out, calls him a big shot, next thing you know he gives her a big shot," Green said.

Green captured the incident with his cell phone's video camera.

"It was like they were tired of dealing with her so they didn't try to talk to her or anything," Roberts said.

"I couldn't believe it. He seen me taping. He looked up at the camera a few times, and he still hit her like that, and I can't believe he didn't try to diffuse the situation at all," Green said.

Green recently returned home from serving six years in the Army, including tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"In the Army, they gave us extensive training for rules of engagement. There's proper protocols and steps you take. This lady didn't do anything, she wasn't combative and he actually turned combative on her," Green said.

Green claims the deputies then tried to intimidate him when he refused to hand over his cell phone.

"He comes to me and says you can be under arrest if you don't give me that video," Green said.

Green said the deputy then asked if he had any warrants.

"I said no, I'm a veteran, I just came back, I have six years, I have no record, and he said 'We'll see about that.'"

Why didn't Green want to hand over this video to the deputies involved?

"I think they would try to cover it up. I think a lot of things get covered up and people need to come forward if they see something, report it because it can't be fixed unless it's brought to the public's attention," Green said.

A sheriff's department spokesman told NBCLA over the phone the department would not comment on this case and would not look at the videotape, but the spokesman said the department does investigate all use of force claims.

Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA

Contact Us