A 22-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening at the Alaska State Fair after reports that he was allegedly threatening a child, according to the Palmer Police Department. The incident, witnessed by many and captured in a video circulating on social media, shows the man being taken into custody while a young child is removed from his arms. The video shows the child crying and experiencing a traumatic event.
Palmer Dispatch received a 911 call on Aug. 24 at approximately 8 pm, reporting a disturbance near the fair’s Purple Gate. The caller stated that Jeffry Kaelen Cook-Reed, 22, was allegedly walking away with a baby while screaming, and that he appeared intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol.
The caller further reported that Cook-Reed was attempting to strike individuals, making threats to bystanders, and threatening underage females in the area. Just before officers arrived, the caller alleged that Cook-Reed appeared to be harming the child.
Officers located Cook-Reed holding the child inside the Purple Trail area of the fairgrounds. Upon identification, dispatch confirmed that Cook-Reed had an active arrest warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Due to the nature of the reports and concerns for the child’s safety, officers attempted to intervene as Cook-Reed tried to move past them. During the arrest, Cook-Reed and officers went to the ground, as one officer was able to safely secure the child.
Palmer Police said the child was not injured. The department also stated that the actions taken during the arrest are under review.
Those actions include use of force and fists by officers. No additional details regarding charges beyond the outstanding warrant have been released. Cook-Reed has posted bond and is not currently incarcerated.
I have seen the video and read several accounts of this. I find the whole thing troubling and sad.
I’d be disappointed if they didn’t use “force and fists” for this piece of garbage.
They did what they had to do for the safety of the child.
Had this been under the jurisdiction of “shoot first, tackle later” APD, there would have been no bond to post.