City officials update investigation into officer related incident

A press conference was held tonight with city officials including Mayor Don Hardy, City Manager Tony Sears, Kinston Police Department's Chief Dilday, and Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon in response to an officer related incident captured and shared on social media.

"This will get a thorough investigation," said Sears. "We want to be open and honest. We want to be transparent."

The Kinston Police department responded to an alarm at 111 W. Vernon Avenue in response to an ongoing disturbance. An employee triggered a silent alarm to gain assistance from law enforcement.

"We are aware of the 17 second partial video that has surfaced on social media in regards to that arrest." said Sears. "While we appreciate the respect of how people have viewed this video, we feel the same about the situation. There is much more right here that meets the eye."

The short video depicted the arrest of 36 year old David Lee Bruton Jr. who, based on the preliminary investigation, initiated the disturbance on Vernon Ave. In the video, it appears as if an officer is repeatedly striking Bruton. During the initial interview by the police officers, Bruton walked away from the officers. When the officers attempted to detain him, a foot pursuit ensued.

The officers involved in Bruton's detainment were Officer McKinley Jones and Officer Kevin Page. Dilday estimated their time of service with the Kinston police department as two and a half years for Jones and about a year and a quarter for Page. One officer has completed CIT training, which teaches de-escalation. Both officers are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

"The charges made by the officers in this case were disorderly conduct, resisting obstructing or delaying a public official, and assaulting a government official," said Dilday.

Sears said he met with NAACP as well as with Bruton's family. Burton has since been released from custody.

"In this moment it is most important for us to make sure that the investigation is diligent and that we come to the right measure of justice and accountability," said Solomon.