Man Sets Up Facebook Livestream Before Attacking Florida Police Officers With Brick

Police said that a man in Orlando, Florida, attacked and injured two officers with a brick early Saturday morning, and had set up a camera to livestream the incident.

William McClish, 27, has been charged in connection with the incident. He faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a weapon, according to police.

The Orlando Police Department posted a video of the attack on its YouTube page. According to the footage, a man can be seen walking toward a police car and appear to pick something up off the ground. He then approaches to two officers standing in front of the police car, and begins hitting one of them. The other officer tackles the man to the ground and begins punching him.

The altercation continues, but much of it is out of the camera's view. Eventually, more officers arrive on the scene. Police said it took four of them to arrest the man.

On the YouTube description of the video, Orlando police wrote: "It was determined the man set up a camera to livestream the attack to Facebook - that is the source of the video above."

Police said that the officers were standing on a corner just before 1:00 a.m. on Saturday "as part of a downtown detail."

"An eyewitness advised he was speaking with one of the officers, when a man suddenly attacked one of the officers without warning," they wrote.

In a statement, Police Chief Orlando Rolón noted that the incident marks the second unprovoked attack on Orlando police officers in one week.

"One officer has a significant facial injury. The other was bit and nearly had his eye gouged out. Our officers will recover from their injuries, but individuals like this who take premeditated steps to harm law enforcement officers and other human beings must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Rolón said.

Man attack Orlando police
Stock photo. Police say that a man in Orlando, Florida, attacked and injured two officers with a brick early Saturday morning, and had set up a camera to livestream the incident. iStock / Getty Images Plus/z1b

On Tuesday, in a separate incident, two Orlando police officers were investigating a tip in an unmarked vehicle when three men opened fire on them, according to news station WESH. Officers returned fire from inside the vehicle—neither of them were shot. Three men have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

"We cannot wait for an officer or a citizen to be murdered," Rolón wrote. "Prosecution and proper sentencing will be a deterrent for those who think they will only get a slap on the hand and probation soon after a short time in prison."

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