A video that has spread online shows a heated confrontation between Georgia State Patrol Trooper J. Anderson and Devin Meadows, who was arrested early Sunday morning near Washington Road and Fury’s Ferry Road.
The incident, now under internal review, has stirred debate over use of force and police conduct.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Trooper Anderson initiated a traffic stop around 12:43 a.m. Sunday after witnessing what appeared to be street racing between a white Dodge Ram and a black Cadillac in a 45-mph zone. The driver of the Dodge Ram, later determined to be impaired, was arrested and secured in the back of a patrol car.
The viral video picks up as a male and female from the black Cadillac approach the scene. The woman attempts to reach the Dodge Ram despite the trooper’s repeated commands to stay back. As the officer moves to arrest her for obstruction, Meadows, identified as the male occupant of the Cadillac, intervenes.
In the video, Meadows is seen with his hands raised as he confronts Trooper Anderson. “YOU ARE IN THE WRONG!” Meadows shouts.
VIDEO:
The trooper, holding a Taser, warns, “I am asking you one more time, and then I am going to hit you with a taser.”
Anderson fires the Taser twice, but it appears to have no effect. Meadows continues to protest, saying, “You are so far in the wrong, it is not funny.”
The video also shows the female companion, who Meadows appears to shield, visibly distressed. She eventually collapses to the ground in what Meadows describes as a panic attack. A third person filming the incident can be heard defending the woman’s actions, saying, “She was worried about everybody.”
As the trooper attempts to arrest Meadows, he pulls away, and the video cuts off shortly thereafter.
The Georgia State Patrol confirmed that both Meadows and the woman were taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital for evaluation before Meadows was transferred to jail. The woman remained hospitalized for observation. Both now face obstruction charges, and Meadows is also charged with DUI and speeding.
In the aftermath, a social media comment by Tiffany Strickland, featuring Meadows’ arrest photo, accuses Trooper Anderson of excessive force. She also posted images of bruises allegedly sustained by the woman in the video, claiming she was “snatched around and dropped” several times during the encounter.
Courtney Lund, a spokesperson for Georgia State Patrol, confirmed that the incident is under internal review.
“We are aware of a video circulating regarding this incident. We are investigating internally to make sure the Trooper acted within policy guidelines,” she said by email.
WGAC’s Austin Rhodes contributed to this report.
