Man Arrested After Parking in Fire Lane and Assaulting Officers in Lawrence Police Video

A man was arrested and taken into custody after parking his vehicle in a fire lane and subsequently assaulting officers at a Walmart store in Lawrence, Indiana. According to police documents, the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

The trouble began when a Lawrence Police Officer observed a white Ford Explorer parked in an emergency fire lane at the Walmart location at 10735 Pendleton Pike. The officer approached the vehicle, and William Jerome Armstrong, 38, got out with a "balled up fist" and asked if the officer had a problem.

"When the officer parked behind the suspect in the Explorer, Armstrong got out of the vehicle and approached the office with a 'balled up fist' and asked the officer if he had a problem," police documents state.

The officer called for backup and told Armstrong to not approach him aggressively. However, as they waited for assistance to arrive, Armstrong's behavior became increasingly aggressive, according to police.

Backup eventually arrived on scene, but it was delayed due to the officer in route being involved in a minor traffic accident. After backup arrived, police attempted to detain Armstrong, who refused to identify himself and continued to behave aggressively.

It was during this attempt that Armstrong allegedly punched an officer in the face and "hip tossed" him. The officer suffered injuries as a result, including lacerations and abrasions to the chin, neck, right hand, and left hand.

"The officer used his taser on Armstrong, but because he was wearing thick clothes it had no effect," police documents state.

After struggling with Armstrong to get his hands behind his back, the officer "administered several closed fist punch strikes to Armstrong's head and upper torso while giving numerous commands to put his hands behind his back."

Armstrong was eventually handcuffed and identified. He was placed under arrest for multiple charges, including Battery Against Law Enforcement Officer with Injury, Intimidation on a Law Enforcement Officer (eight counts), and Resisting Law Enforcement.

A search of Armstrong's vehicle revealed an AR-style rifle in the passenger seat.

The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.