Men in viral video criticize Wilmington police as internal review continues

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Wilmington Police Department continues reviewing a video showing a physical altercation involving an officer that has generated controversy online.

Police have not confirmed what they were responding to at a house on Maides Avenue on Thursday, but court records show officers issued citations to at least three people involved, including citations for resisting an officer and possession of marijuana.

The video has generated hundreds of comments online over recent days.

Footage shows 18-year-old Antwan Greene approaching an unidentified police officer, saying that it was his yard and questioning why the police were there.

As the encounter escalated, the officer moved to detain Greene. A physical struggle ensued, during which the officer forced Greene against the side of the car and then to the ground while Greene resisted. Onlookers can be heard shouting, “You just slammed my brother for no reason,” while Greene claimed he had done nothing wrong. An officer can be heard cussing and telling Greene to listen.

The video appears to show the officer putting his knee on Greene’s back as he’s on the ground. On Monday, Greene, who’s Black, accused WPD officers of racially profiling him.

“It’s just police brutality, for real. Using their badge, making it feel like they can use their power to do certain things to Black people,” Greene said.

Wilmington police confirmed they are reviewing the situation but said social media clips only show a small portion of everything that happened. WPD declined to answer questions on-camera about the incident on Monday.

“We are aware of the videos circulating on social media regarding an interaction involving WPD officers and a use-of-force incident that occurred Thursday. A formal, thorough investigation is currently ongoing, including a full review of all video footage and witness statements. We are committed to maintaining accountability and ensuring our officers operate within the law and department policy. Fortunately, no injuries to community members or officers have been reported from this incident,” WPD said in a statement.

Greene’s friend, Montez Walker, recorded his own video of the interaction. Walker said the video doesn’t leave anything out.

In the video, an officer said they were in the yard because of marijuana. On Monday, the men in the video denied doing anything illegal, saying they were just hanging out, and the marijuana could’ve come from elsewhere in the neighborhood.

Court records show police issued citations to at least three people. That includes Greene, who was cited for resisting a public officer, and his cousin, Isiah Hill, who was cited for simple possession. Greene’s brother, Amir Miller, was also cited for resisting a public officer, according to court records.

While publicly available records don’t detail a prior criminal history for Greene, Hill has been charged with simple possession, or possession of marijuana, three other times this year.

“I feel like there’s ways it could’ve been prevented, everything could’ve been prevented if they did everything the right way,” Greene said of the officers in the video.

Greene said the officer in the video should lose his job for using unnecessary force. As the internal review continues, he said he hopes the video changes future Wilmington Police Department responses.

WPD asks anyone who witnessed the event or has information to call them at 910-343-3600 and ask for the Professional Standards Division. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by texting the keyword WPDNC followed by a message to 847411, or through the WPD Tip 411 app.

“We understand that members of the community have questions about what occurred. We ask for your continued patience while we gather all the facts to compile an accurate and complete record of what happened. The WPD is committed to treating every individual fairly, applying department policies consistently, and ensuring every use of force is reviewed objectively and thoroughly,” WPD’s statement said.