'Here's what REALLY happened': Police release bodycam footage of 13-year-old's arrest, with every detail

SUMMERVILLE, SC- The Summerville Police Department has taken the step of releasing bodycam footage showcasing the arrest of a 13-year-old boy, alleged to have assaulted one of their officers outside a Walmart on North Main Street in Summerville.

This incident, which unfolded on Monday afternoon, had its video made public late Thursday afternoon. The footage, approximately seven minutes long, has been carefully edited to obscure the boy's face, accompanied by explanatory text and captions. Due to the presence of coarse language, viewer discretion is advised.

The decision to release the footage follows the spread of cellphone footage of the arrest on social media platforms. This initial video led to a myriad of questions and concerns regarding the circumstances of the arrest. Marvin Pendarvis, the attorney representing the boy's family, has shared that after a thorough review of the bodycam footage, the family intends to pursue civil and legal avenues.

The Summerville Police Department press release said, “During the late afternoon of April 1, 2024, members of the Summerville Police Department’s Hospitality Team were patrolling North Main Market due to receiving numerous complaints from business owners about individuals loitering and selling Palmetto roses in front of their businesses.

On multiple past occasions, individuals selling Palmetto roses block entrances to the business and often times become confrontational with customers attempting to enter or leave a business.”

The department’s press release continued, “Due to the individual not cooperating with officers, they attempted to detain him. When an officer grabbed the individual’s hand, he immediately curled his arm up to resist. The individual pushed the officer into the wall. To prevent the individual from fleeing the scene, the officer held him against his body.

"The second officer gave loud verbal commands for the individual to stop resisting. During the struggle, the second officer was able to secure a handcuff on the individual’s left wrist. While officers were still attempting to gain control, the individual struck a female officer in the face with a closed fist.”

During the incident, officers Katherine Kirkland and Dante Ghi were on patrol in response to complaints from business owners about individuals loitering and aggressively selling Palmetto Roses in the North Main Market area.

Per the Department’s statement, which coincides with the events recorded by the officer’s body cameras, the officers encountered two individuals attempting to sell the roses near Walmart, they requested them to relocate due to a lack of a business license. One of the boys responded with defiance, leading to an attempt at detainment.

As per the police account, the boy resisted the officers and struck a female officer, causing injury to her eye. Subsequently, he was detained and later released to his mother. The initial charge against the boy was third-degree assault and battery, which was later updated to assaulting an officer involved in official duties.

There have been concerns raised regarding Officer Dante Ghi's past conduct. Training documents from the state’s Criminal Justice Academy indicate that Ghi faced disciplinary actions in previous roles, including a dismissal and a resignation following internal investigations. Despite these past incidents, Ghi joined the Summerville Police Department, raising questions about hiring practices and oversight.

Summerville Police Chief Douglas Wright has released a statement addressing the incident, recognizing the importance of transparency in maintaining public trust. He highlighted that while the department typically refrains from commenting on ongoing cases, the unique circumstances warranted an exception.

Chief Wright confirmed that the juvenile's mother has consented to reviewing the police videos, with a detailed sequence of events set to be provided to the public.

In response to the incident, community leaders and activists, including Racial Justice Network Founder Elder James Johnson, have voiced concerns, and called for constructive dialogue between law enforcement and the community. The family of the boy has urged a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

“The Summerville Police Department is committed to maintaining public safety while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect for all individuals. We will continue to conduct a thorough review of this incident to ensure our officers followed proper protocols and identify any areas for improvement.

"We recognize the impact such incidents can have on community trust, and we remain dedicated to fostering open communication and strengthening our relationship with the citizens we serve.” Stated Chief Douglas Wright.