BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Body camera video given to Action News Jax by the family of a Brunswick 13-year-old shows what the family calls excessive use of force. The officer was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Brunswick Police Department but the teen’s parents are calling for further investigation.
According to a police report, Officer Bryce Sasser approached the 13-year-old and his 19-year-old friend in front of their home for a traffic violation because his bicycle didn’t have the proper lighting in the dark.
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The body camera video shows the initial interaction. “Fellas,” Officer Sasser said. “Yes sir,” Colt Gordon responds.
Colt’s friend said “You good” to him. The officer responded, “No he’s not...if you tell him that I’ll place you under arrest for obstruction.” That’s where the struggle begins. According to a police report, Colt attempted to run back to his home and that’s when Sasser threw the 13-year-old to the ground.
“I’m 13! Chill, I’m 13,” Colt said. At that point, his mom came out to the front yard.
“When I finally see him, he’s on the ground with a police officer on top of him. He gets up and runs toward me, his protector,” Nicole Gordon said.
Colt escaped the officer’s grasp and ran to the back of his home. In the body camera video, you can hear Colt say, “Leave me alone! Chill! Chill!”
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Officer Sasser pulls out his taser at one point but puts it back. Colt’s parents both separately filed a complaint with the Brunswick Police Department for the use of force. The incident happened back in September, and they claim BPD had minimal communication with them throughout the process.
Months later, the department issued a statement clearing the officer. It said in part, “We acknowledge the department should have been more diligent in communicating with the complainants... policy changes will be implemented to ensure officers properly identify themselves upon approaching our citizens.”
“There was no apology. Most importantly that’s all I want. People make mistakes. Not all cops are bad,” Ryan Gordon, Colt’s father, said.
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The teen’s parents gave Action News Jax the body camera video after requesting it when filing their complaints against the department. We independently requested the video as well, but have not yet received the video.
Colt was charged with traffic violations and obstruction of an officer, but his parents said the district attorney dropped the charges.
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