Olympic Sprinter Fred Kerley Arrested in Miami Beach After He's Tasered in Altercation with Police

Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley was arrested and charged with battery following a confrontation with police in Miami Beach, according to multiple reports.

Local Miami news station WSVN and NBC Miami reported that Kerley, 29, allegedly approached police officers at the scene of an active investigation on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 2.

The Team USA sprinter reportedly expressed concern for his car, which was parked near the scene where police were investigating on the 100 block of 9th street.

According to NBC, authorities used a stun gun on him after they said Kerley's "demeanor became increasingly aggressive" and he denied the officers' request for him to leave the scene.

Police also described Kerley assuming a "fighting stance" during the altercation with officers.

In body camera footage obtained by NBC, an officer is seen placing a hand on Kerley's chest before a struggle ensues. Multiple police appeared to wrestle Kerley to the ground and one officer struck the sprinter multiple times, per NBC's report of the footage.

Kerley's girlfriend was reportedly also at the scene, per NBC, and screamed at officers to stop during the scuffle. "He's an athlete, please do not mess with him," the woman yelled.

The outlet said officers can be heard on the footage telling Kerley to stop resisting for "several moments" before one officer threatened to tase the sprinter.

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According to WSVN, officers called for emergency backup during the incident.

After being tased, Kerley reportedly fell to the ground before telling officers they're "weak" in the footage. "You put your hands on me, hit me in the head," Kerley said, per NBC.

Kerley now faces charges of battery on a police officer, corrections officer, or firefighter, resisting an officer without violence and disorderly conduct.

PEOPLE has reached out to Miami Police for further information. PEOPLE has also reached out to representatives for Kerley for comment.

Kerley won the silver medal in the men's 100-meter race at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and bronze in the same event at the 2024 Paris Games. He was also a member of the men's relay team that failed to medal in the 4x100-meter event in Paris.

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