William Cunningham and his cousin were parked in front of his house with Prince George’s County police officer Jenchesky Santiago approached:
Cunningham and his cousin were sitting in a car parked in front of his Bowie home in May 2014 when Santiago approached and asked why they were there. After an exchange of words, Cunningham decided to go inside, but Santiago ordered him back in the car.
A witness testified Santiago also yelled that Prince George's County officers shoot people.
William Cunningham lived in the home he was trying to enter. Santiago ordered him away from the door and Cunningham’s cousin began recording as Officer Santiago put his loaded gun, finger on the trigger, directly against Cunningham’s head for approximately 10 seconds and then shoved it against his mouth. Today, Officer Santiago was found guilty of first and second degree assault over the incident. Cunningham’s attorney did not want to release the video before the trial was completed, but now that Santiago has been found guilty, they made the decision to make it public. WARNING: the video below is nothing short of shocking.
x YouTube VideoOfficer Santiago has been suspended without pay since indicted in March 2015. Prince George's County Police Chief Mark Magaw’s statement on the guilty verdict:
"The actions Officer Santiago chose to take that day are his alone. His behavior is flagrant, appalling and isolated. His actions are among the worst I've seen as Chief of Police and that will be taken into account when I make a decision about his employment," said Chief Mark Magaw. Maryland law requires Santiago have the right to appeal the outcome of the department's administrative investigation. Following the final outcome of the administrative process, the findings will go to Chief Magaw. Santiago had been employed by the PGPD for two years when the incident occurred and was assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.