Shocking moment cops violently arrest musician at South by Southwest festival in Austin

This shocking video shows a large group of police officers arresting a musician who was on his way to perform a gig at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, in Austin, Texas, on Friday (March 18, 2022).

Footage shows dozens of police surging the man, who was walking to his next SXSW showcase with some fellow artists and industry management at just after 10.30 pm.

The man is Gary Spencer, 26, who says he was completely unaware that he was the suspect in any crime.

Ariane Rodriquez, a 29-year-old Revenue Accountant shot the video. She has been friends with Gary Spencer since they were at university in Austin.

She said: "I was standing about 10 feet from Gary when the cops came up behind him and tackled him. It took me about 30 seconds to pull out my phone and start videoing.

“Four officers came from behind the crowd and slammed him on the ground and continued jumping on him for about two minutes, for seemingly no reason.

“After he was knocked out and arrested, they took him through a back alley and the team of now 15 plus officers refused to provide his friends, family, or management with any reason for the arrest.

“We later found out he had a warrant issued within 48 hours of the arrest. Rather than serving Gary with the warrant like a human being, the officers decided to attack him like an animal.

“Gary subsequently missed one of the biggest nights of his career (3+ shows) and sustained several injuries, specifically to his face and mouth.”

Other witnesses from the scene reported that Mr. Spencer was grabbed by the officers from behind and that they did not identify themselves nor tell him the reason for his arrest.

Mr. Spencer said that the warrant was completely erroneous and that it was not presented to him until he was already injured and in police custody.

He claims he was refused a medical examination while in custody.

Photos indicate that he suffered blows to the head, swelling in the neck, damage to two teeth and multiple cuts and bruises during the violent arrest.