LSU wide receiver Koy Moore alleged in a statement posted to Twitter on Sunday that police drew their guns and “violated” him numerous times during a stop the previous night.
Moore’s statement said officers approached him with guns drawn, assuming he had a weapon and drugs on him. According to Moore, they yelled, “Where’s your gun?” and made him unzip his pants as they searched for one. When Moore attempted to take a video of the situation, the officers took his phone away, the freshman’s statement read.
After the incident, LSU and Baton Rouge Police Department officials began investigating the claims, and three police officers were placed on paid administrative leave Monday, according to WAFB, a CBS-affiliate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“We appreciate Mr. Moore bringing this incident to our attention,” Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said in a statement Monday. “As in every case, we will be collecting all available evidence and conducting interviews. Accountability and transparency are critical in building trust with the community. I pledge a thorough investigation into this complaint.”
Tigers coach Ed Orgeron released a statement Sunday night on Twitter saying he was aware of the “serious statements” Moore had posted.
“While I cannot comment on the investigation, what I can say is that we must work collectively to embrace our differences,” Orgeron’s statement read. “We have to listen, learn and come together to combat social injustice and racism if we are to create a safer and more equitable society for all people.”
Just read this please we need a change!!! pic.twitter.com/EyiK0Rmx1r
— Koy Moore 🇲🇦 الحمدلله (@asap_koy) November 8, 2020
Like many teams around the country, LSU has made demonstrations against social injustice throughout the summer and fall. In August, players led a march through campus following the death of Jacob Blake, who police shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during an arrest earlier that week.
And in September, members and coaches from nearly every sport at LSU joined in a march around Tiger Stadium to protest against racial injustice, wearing “Tigers United” T-shirts.
“As some celebrate the election of a new president understand the real problem have not changed,” Moore wrote in his statement. “If I didn’t tell those incompetent officers that I was a LSU football player there’s no telling if I would’ve been here to tell the story! Yesterday wasn’t a victory for America[;] it was only a distraction.”
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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