The Baton Rouge Police Department has placed three officers on administrative leave and launched an internal affairs investigation after a Louisiana State University football player claimed officers harassed him Saturday night.
Koy Moore, a freshman wide receiver, posted a statement on Twitter describing an alleged encounter with police Saturday night.
Moore said he was “violated multiple times.”
“They pulled guns on me assuming I had a gun and drugs,” Moore wrote, adding that officers attempted to “unzip my pants in search of a weapon that I repeatedly told them I did not have.”
Moore said officers took his phone when he attempted to document the incident.
“If I didn’t tell those incompetent officers that I was a LSU football player there’s no telling if I would’ve been here to tell the story,” Moore concluded.
A BRPD spokesperson said Chief Murphy Paul initiated the internal affairs investigation after speaking with Moore.
“We appreciate Mr. Moore for bringing this incident to our attention,” Paul said in a statement released Monday morning. “Accountability and transparency are critical in building trust with the community. I pledge a thorough investigation into this complaint.”
The allegations prompted a flurry of public statements from university and city-parish officials.
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome issued a statement calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
“We will get to the bottom of this situation and keep the lines of communication open with the community,” Broome said.
LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron issued a statement Sunday afternoon.
“While I cannot comment on the investigation, what I can say is that we must work collectively to embrace our differences,” Orgeron wrote. “We have to listen, learn and come together to combat social injustice and racism if we are to create a safer and more equitable society for all people.”
Orgeron briefly addressed the incident during his regular Monday press conference after meeting with Moore and his mother.
“I support my players just like I support my sons,” Orgeron said. “I was hurt to hear the things that went on. I'm not happy about it but I know the chief is going to do a proper investigation. I just want the right thing to happen.”
Earlier this year, LSU football players joined a chorus of collegiate and professional athletes in speaking out against racial injustice and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd.
In August, the team walked out of practice and led an impromptu march across campus to meet with Interim University President Tom Galligan, Athletic Director Scott Woodward and Orgeron to discuss racial inequity.
Weeks later, they participated in a “unity walk” organized by the Black Student Athlete Association alongside players and coaches from almost every university sports program.
Orgeron said the discussions that followed have helped him better understand his players' lived experiences.
“You’ve got to listen to be open minded, to understand there are some wrongdoings out there — social injustice, racism,” Orgeron said. “I’m totally against that.”
