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Community Meeting Planned To Address Recent Arrest

Video posted to Facebook by Alyssa Retuerto

A DeKalb church will host a community meeting to discuss last weekend's arrest of a man that has prompted an investigation into excessive use of force by city and county police officers.

25 year old Elonte McDowell of Aurora was pulled over and arrested in DeKalb for marijuana possession. His girlfriend recorded the arrest and shared the video on social media. The video shows McDowell being put in a chokehold and tased by officers. In a statement, the DeKalb Police Department says McDowell attempted to flee officers during the stop and resisted arrest. He was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, resisting arrest, and trespassing. The video shows white police officers restraining McDowell, who is black. It has sparked outrage on social media.

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb will host a public meeting September 4th with members of the DeKalb Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department to discuss the arrest and McDowell's treatment. The DeKalb Police Department has put an officer on administrative duties and asked the Illinois State Police to investigate.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.