A tense standoff on an Ohio bridge turned violent as video captured a police officer repeatedly punching an anti-ICE protester throughout a protest that introduced visitors to a halt.

The demonstration, which was on the Roebling Bridge between Cincinnati and Covington, known as for the discharge of a detained former hospital chaplain. The protest drew some 100 individuals. Authorities say a minimum of 15 individuals have been arrested on felony rioting and varied misdemeanor expenses.

The viral video reveals a protester carrying a crimson Cincinnati Reds cap being tackled and struck within the head a number of occasions whereas pinned to the bottom. Police say the man tried to seize a pepper ball gun from an officer, however he denies that declare, telling WCPO he was merely reacting to having a weapon pointed at him.

Officers additionally forcibly eliminated a number of different demonstrators in the course of the bridge clearing, which concerned round 50 cops.

Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti mentioned the officer who punched the man feared he was reaching for a weapon and was making an attempt to forestall a fall into the Ohio River.