WTIU/WFIU News received body camera footage of Vauhxx Booker’s Indianapolis arrest from Indianapolis Metropolitan Police (IMPD) Thursday.
Booker, the former Bloomington activist, was arrested in September outside of Downtown Olly’s for allegedly shoving a police officer.
READ MORE: Vauhxx Booker charged with battery against Indianapolis police officer
IMPD officers responded to calls the morning of Sept. 5 about a disturbance at Downtown Olly’s and were met by Booker, who was complaining that Olly’s staff was intoxicated, being aggressive and yelling rude and racist comments at him.
In one bodycam video, officer Alan Hopkins speaks with Booker about the incident and tells him he is unable to arrest people for saying things. Hopkins turns to officer Emanuel Toliver, who is making a report on the incident, and Booker follows Hopkins, asking for his identification back.
Hopkins informs Booker that they need his ID for the report and tells him multiple times to return to the sidewalk. Booker then reaches past Hopkins to retrieve his ID and is shoved by Hopkins.
“You pushed through me like I didn’t matter, so you know what? You get to go to jail for that,” Hopkins said.
Three officers were present at the scene, but only one bodycam video shows the confrontation between Booker and Hopkins.
Booker was charged with battery against a public safety official, a level 6 felony.
He has a pretrial hearing scheduled for Feb. 1.
