![\"Video](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/police.jpg\" "\\"Video")
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Video recorded by a bystander near Northwest Third Avenue and Northwest 12th Court in Pompano Beach shows a K-9, held by its handler, biting Jerome\u2019s ankle as deputies attempted to take him into custody.<\/p>\n
Miami Herald File<\/p>\n
The family of a 36-year-old man is demanding answers after a Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office K-9 bit him during an arrest captured on video.<\/p>\n
Relatives of Fricost Jerome said they have not seen him since the incident and are concerned about his condition.<\/p>\n
Video recorded by a bystander near Northwest Third Avenue and 12th Court in Pompano Beach shows a K-9, held by its handler, biting Jerome\u2019s ankle as deputies attempted to take him into custody.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt devastated me. I couldn\u2019t look at it,\u201d said Sheila Burke, Jerome\u2019s aunt. \u201cThat was uncalled for, period.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burke said her nephew has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and she believes deputies may not have recognized that he did not understand what was happening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about training with the mentally ill?\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n
Jerome faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and resisting an officer.<\/p>\n
According to the Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office, an employee at the Atlantic Palms Apartments called deputies Tuesday after reporting that Jerome stole a toolbox from a maintenance shed. The employee told investigators Jerome threatened her with a box cutter when confronted.<\/p>\n
In a statement, BSO spokesperson Veda Coleman-Wright said district deputies, K-9 and aviation units responded Tuesday to a report of an armed robbery in progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cPer agency policy, when K-9s are used to apprehend suspects, like in Tuesday\u2019s arrest of an armed suspect, the suspect receives medical treatment, and the use of force is reported to supervisors and thoroughly documented for an administrative review,\u201d Coleman-Wright said.<\/p>\n
Jerome\u2019s family went to BSO headquarters seeking details about his whereabouts and medical condition but said they were unable to get information.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want him to know that he has a family,\u201d Burke said. \u201cHe has a family that loves him and is going to be by him. And we are not going to lay down on this incident.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office stated that all use-of-force incidents are reviewed through its administrative process.<\/p>\n