HIGH POINT, N.C. — For the first time, WFMY News 2 heard from the man seen in a viral High Point arrest video.
The High Point Interim Police Chief has deemed a video where officers appeared to be using excessive force justifiable on Monday, April 29.
Keith McClain opened up about the video that shocked social media. The High Point police officers have since been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Anxious, confused, and scared are the emotions Keith McClain is feeling weeks after he was arrested by High Point police after a larceny call.
"I get very nervous now when I see police officers," McClain said.
He said he and a friend went to the Walmart on North Main Street in High Point to get some food but his card wasn't working.
He said a Walmart employee began speaking to him. Police say they were told by a caller McClain was being aggressive with the store's loss prevention officers.
"He tried to explain to me I needed to come into the office and I told him I had money and I would pay for this stuff. That's when I went out and went down to get my money. And then I got distracted. I didn't end up going back to Walmart, so I didn't take anything out of the store," McClain explained.
He said they left the store and went back to the nearby Intown Suites where they both were staying. An hour later he said he was approached by two officers.
"He said I'm under arrest for stealing and then slammed me to the floor. I had no understanding of that because I didn't steal anything from Walmart," McClain said.
Police said McClain was initially cooperating but then began to resist arrest.
"I literally thought I was in danger. I didn't think I was safe anymore," McClain said.
Shortly afterward, three more officers showed up and someone started recording the encounter. Officers are seen throwing punches and using a baton. There also appears to be pepper spray and a taser.
"All I was trying to do is protect myself and that's all I can think of. All I need to do was to protect my face and they kept trying, they kept hitting me in my face, hitting, and I just wanted to protect my face," McClain said.
High Point Interim Police Chief Curtis Cheeks released a statement saying, "The decision of police to use force in this case was only in response to Mr. McClain's resistance to a lawful arrest."
He went on to say, "The actions of the police officers were necessary to do their official and lawful duty to arrest Mr. McClain. "
"We believe that's not true," Jason Keith said.
Greensboro Civil Rights attorney Jason Keith said he is working with Benjamin Crump and Harry Daniels to represent McClain.
A lawsuit is pending.
"There're always two sides to the story and it's important that this young man, I mean, he is still suffering. He was hospitalized. He was victimized, you see the tape," said Keith.
"My ribs were bruised really bad," McClain said.
The interim chief also said his department takes the use of force seriously and the review was based on all reports, video, along with statements given on the incident.
McClain is facing several charges including assault on a government official and larceny.
"There's nothing that justifies that, a lady is punching him, hitting him with batons. It puts you in the mindset of Rodney King," Keith said.
"You should not have to do all that to detain me," McClain said.
WFMY News 2 has tried several times since the initial incident happened to get an interview with the interim police chief.
Police referred us to the statements they released each time.
You can read the interim chief's most recent statement here.