TUPELO POLICE RELEASE BODYCAM AFTER VIRAL TRAFFIC STOP BRAWL

A routine traffic stop in Tupelo, Mississippi, quickly turned into a physical struggle after officers discovered that a passenger in the vehicle had active arrest warrants.

The incident happened on July 13, 2021, on South Gloster Street near the Crosstown intersection. According to police reports, an officer initially stopped a black Honda CR-V because the driver was allegedly not wearing a seat belt. During the stop, officers identified the passenger as 33-year-old Jasper Copeland and discovered two active warrants for his arrest.

THE TRAFFIC STOP SUDDENLY TURNS VIOLENT

Officers asked Copeland to step out of the vehicle. As they prepared to place him in handcuffs, police said he dropped a clear plastic bag that investigators suspected contained narcotics.

WHEN OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO HANDCUFF HIM, THE SITUATION ESCALATED INTO A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE.

According to the released footage, Copeland pulled away from the officers and began resisting. The dash-camera video shows part of the struggle near the patrol vehicle, while the bodycam footage provides another perspective from close range.

Police reports stated that Copeland struck Officer Mike Gazaway several times during the confrontation. Officers attempted to control him and pin him against the patrol car.

OFFICERS USE PEPPER SPRAY AND FORCE

During the struggle, Officer Derek Scott deployed pepper spray. The police report stated that the spray also affected the officers themselves.

THE MOST CRITICAL MOMENT CAME WHEN OFFICERS REPORTED THAT COPELAND'S HAND MOVED TOWARD GAZAWAY'S HOLSTERED FIREARM.

The released dashcam footage shows the area around the officer's weapon, although the officer's body partially blocks the camera's view. Gazaway can be heard warning that Copeland had his gun. Shortly afterward, Scott struck Copeland several times before the officers managed to bring him to the ground.

Additional officers then arrived and helped secure Copeland in handcuffs.

POLICE RELEASE THE FOOTAGE AFTER THE VIDEO GOES VIRAL

A bystander had recorded part of the confrontation, and that footage spread across social media. The public release prompted questions about what happened before and during the physical struggle.

In response, Tupelo Police released three recordings: BODYCAM FOOTAGE, DASHCAM FOOTAGE AND A SLOW-MOTION VERSION OF THE DASHCAM VIDEO. Police said the release was intended to provide greater transparency while the investigation continued.

Copeland was later charged with two counts of simple assault on a police officer. Police also said additional narcotics-related charges could be pursued through the grand jury process. His bond was set at $300,000.

THE INCIDENT SHOWS HOW QUICKLY A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP CAN ESCALATE WHEN AN ARREST RESISTANCE BEGINS. THE RELEASED BODYCAM AND DASHCAM FOOTAGE PROVIDE MULTIPLE ANGLES OF THE ENCOUNTER, ALLOWING VIEWERS TO SEE THE EVENTS THAT LED FROM A TRAFFIC STOP TO A FULL PHYSICAL STRUGGLE.