cop deploys tactical punches

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. (WEAR) — The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) is releasing more information about a video making the rounds on social media of a deputy repeatedly hitting a suspect in the face just before the Pensacola Beach Air Show.

Video captured by Bud Galloway shows several men push another man out from the water and onto land before a deputy attempts to detain the man.

ECSO said the incident started at Island Culture Tiki Bar around 1:15 p.m. Saturday. Deputies received a call that a man attacked a woman who he didn’t know by punching her in the face four to six times.

A group of men jumped in to the water to help the woman. ECSO said the group of men then jumped the suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Jonathan Thomas Dixon, and held him until a deputy arrived.

ECSO said the deputy went into the water, but Dixon started wrestling the deputy and resisted arrest.

At this time, ECSO said cameras started rolling and Dixon is seen resisting more, which leads to the deputy tackling the man to the ground and hitting him several times.

Back-up soon arrived to assist the deputy. ECSO said Dixon then began yelling racial comments to deputies and EMS.

Dixon was three-and-a-half times over the legal drinking limit, according to ECSO.

The woman reportedly attacked by Dixon was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Dixon was transported to a hospital and will be booked into the Escambia County Jail, ECSO said. He’ll face charges of battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest with violence.

ECSO said they will review the use of force used from this incident.