Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley tasered in alleged altercation with Miami police, arrested

Double Olympic medallist Fred Kerley was arrested by Miami Police and slapped with charges of alleged battery late on Friday. During a skirmish with the police, he was tasered.

The 29-year-old American sprinter won bronze in the men’s 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and silver in the event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is also a former world champion in relay and 100m sprint events.

According to the Miami Police, Kerley approached the site of an active investigation and disturbed efforts. He expressed concerns about his car which was parked nearby.

The spirnter was asked to clear the area but refused. Police claimed he became aggressive and then tased him, in body cam footage that was later televised on local TV channels.

At the Miami Beach police precinct, Kerley was charged with battery on a police officer, corrections officer, or firefighter, resisting an officer without violence and disorderly conduct.

“Despite officers’ efforts to de-escalate the situation, the defendant assumed a fighting stance and continued to ignore their lawful commands,” a police statement said.

“When the officers attempted to effectuate his arrest, he actively resisted their efforts. Consequently, emergency back-up was requested, a dart-firing stun gun was effectively deployed, and the defendant was arrested without any further incident.”