Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general recently made headlines by dismissing a felony assault charge against a police officer involved in a controversial incident. The officer, Sgt. Joseph Gibson, was charged with aggravated assault and battery after body-worn camera footage showed him slamming a 71-year-old man, Lich Vu, to the ground during an argument over a traffic ticket.
The incident, which occurred following a non-injury traffic accident on October 27, resulted in Vu suffering serious injuries, including a brain bleed and a broken neck and eye socket. The use of force by Sgt. Gibson sparked outrage in Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community, as Vu appeared to have difficulty communicating with the officer and did not fully understand the situation.
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna initially charged Gibson, stating that his actions constituted an unreasonable use of force. However, Attorney General Gentner Drummond intervened in the case and decided to dismiss the charge, citing that he did not believe the officer exhibited criminal intent.
Drummond emphasized that individuals should not physically engage with law enforcement officers, regardless of language barriers or cultural differences. He stated that the incident could have been avoided if Vu had refrained from touching the officer.
Gibson’s attorney, former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, supported Drummond’s decision, calling it well-reasoned and correct. Mark Nelson, president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, expressed hope for Vu’s swift recovery while highlighting the challenges officers face in making split-second decisions.
The case has sparked debate over police conduct and use of force, with differing opinions on whether the officer’s actions were justified. The dismissal of the assault charge has raised concerns among some community members and legal experts, questioning the accountability of law enforcement in such situations.
