El Paso police have released information and a booking photo related to the arrest of a woman shown being punched by an officer in a video circulating online.
The El Paso Police Department arrested Kelcee Renee Hufford, 28, on Wednesday, April 1, after officers made contact with her regarding an outstanding warrant for assault causing bodily injury involving family violence. The arrest occurred about 10:15 p.m. in the 600 block of East Rio Grande Avenue, according to a city news release.
The arrest is connected to an incident captured on video that began circulating on social media on April 3. The video, posted by the Instagram account TheRealFitFamElPaso, shows officers attempting to arrest Hufford inside a home. During the struggle, Hufford appears to resist arrest, and an officer is seen punching her in the face while she is on the floor.
Police officials said they were aware of the video and acknowledged that force was used during the apprehension.
Police said Hufford did not comply with officers and was also arrested on a charge of resisting arrest, search or transport. She was booked into the El Paso County jail in Downtown on April 2 with bonds set at $3,000 for the family violence assault charge and $1,000 for resisting arrest.
She was released the same day on a personal recognizance bond, meaning she did not have to post bail as long as she complied with conditions set by the judge.
In the booking photo, Hufford appears with visible discoloration and swelling around one eye, consistent with a black eye. The area beneath and around the eye shows dark bruising that contrasts with the surrounding skin.
The El Paso Police Department arrested Kelcee Renee Hufford, 28, on Wednesday, April 1.
Video shows El Paso police officer punching Hufford
The video begins partway through the incident. Hufford is seen in a corner of a room as an officer attempts to place her in handcuffs. She appears to resist arrest, and officers then grab her. A struggle follows, and Hufford and the officers fall to the floor.
While Hufford is on the floor, two officers are on top of her as she screams that she has been tased three times. That action is not shown in the video. During the struggle, an officer punches Hufford in the face with a closed fist. Hufford briefly goes silent as onlookers begin yelling.
Hufford then begins struggling with officers again and demands to speak with their supervisor. Another woman, who identifies herself as Hufford’s mother, is heard in the video telling officers that Hufford has autism.
Hufford says she cannot breathe, and her mother also tells officers that Hufford cannot breathe. An officer responds, “she can breathe.”
Additional officers arrive, and Hufford is eventually placed in handcuffs. She is carried out of the house while screaming. More than five police patrol units are visible outside the residence.
The video ends with Hufford seated in a police patrol vehicle as officers continue searching the house.
The investigation remains ongoing.
El Paso Times reporter Aaron Martinez contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso police release booking photo of woman punched