MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Olympic sprinter and Austin-area native Fred Kerley remains in custody after allegedly fighting with police in Florida.
The 29-year-old Kerley was arrested Thursday night as bodycam footage shows Kerley arguing with a group of officers on South Beach before the situation escalated.
Police said Kerley approached them with an “aggressive demeanor” regarding concerns about his car being blocked in. After Kerley was told to “go around” the area he appeared to continue arguing, which led to a shoving match with Miami Beach police.
Multiple officers appeared to wrestle Kerley to the ground as one officer appeared to hit Kerley multiple times before ultimately hitting him with a stun gun. Kerley was hospitalized and then taken to Miami-Dade County jail.
Kerley faces multiple charges including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and battery on an officer. USA Track & Field did not respond to a request for comment regarding his arrest.
According to the Miami Herald, Kerley’s attorney said the arrest was brutal and far from how he should have been treated.
“Fred Kerley has inspired millions … he’s raised millions for charities, and he has brought home … medals on behalf of our country, but in Miami Beach, he is just considered another Black man,” Richard L. Cooper said. “It’s not the first time I’ve seen a law-abiding Black man be brutalized by Miami Beach police.”
A Central Texas native and graduate of Taylor High School, Kerley earned a bronze medal in Paris during the 2024 Olympics, finishing just .02 seconds behind America’s Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
Throughout his career, Kerley has also earned a silver medal in the 100-meter dash during the Tokyo Games, a personal best, and earned six medals at the World Athletics Championships.