Investigation Launched Against Two Baytown Police Officers

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An internal affairs investigation has been launched against two Baytown police officers who were seen on video arresting two men who were questioning why the officers were arresting a black man. The controversial arrest was all caught on cell phone video.

The incident happened at the Baytown Market store Tuesday in the 2900 block of Market Street.

Officers pulled over 23-year-old Jostin Moore for a traffic violation. When officers handcuffed Moore, two people in front of the store began to make comments about what was happening.

In the video, an officer can be seen crossing the parking lot to the store's front and throwing one of the men on the ground, then kicking him in the head.

A second officer confronts another man who was also in front of the store and eventually arrests him.

Skylar Gilmore, 24, and Isaiah Phillips, 23, were arrested for disorderly conduct-language, for their public use of profanity. A Baytown officer is also heard on video using profanities.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office initially filed charges against Gilmore for interfering with public duties. Thursday, the DA's office dropped the interfering charge against Gilmore.

The City of Baytown is still pursuing the municipal charges against all three men arrested.

Lieutenant Steve Dorris released a statement on the protest that happened earlier today. He said; "it was was a peaceful protest today that was organized by friends and family of Pamela Turner. They started at Foodtown on Main and walked to the Police Department where they gathered to voice their concerns. Chief Dougherty walked with them and stayed with them while they voiced their concerns as a show of support and solidarity. We also provided traffic control to ensure everyone was safe as they made their way from Foodtown to the Police Department. We are grateful that today's was very peaceful, and we hope that tomorrow's is as well. Just like with any protest, we want to make sure we do everything we can to ensure that the participants have an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right and have their voices heard and we are working with the organizers of tomorrows event to ensure that occurs in a safe and peaceful way."

According to the police report, On June 2nd our officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the parking lot of the Baytown Market Convenience Store located in the 2900 block of Market Street. During that stop, the driver of the vehicle, 23-year-old Jostin Moore of Baytown, was arrested for traffic violations and an outstanding warrant out of Deer Park During the course of the stop, a small crowd made up of several of Mr. Moore’s associates began to gather outside the store. Two members of that group, 24-year-old Skylar Gilmore and 23-year-old Isaiah Phillips both of Baytown, were subsequently arrested as well for Disorderly Conduct-Language for their public use of profanities during the incident. Mr. Gilmore was also charged with Interfering with Public Duties through the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for his actions during his arrest. Baytown Police Chief Dougherty has referred the incident to our Internal Affairs Division to conduct a complete and thorough review of the incident.

There is a peaceful protest set for tomorrow at the Baytown Town Square starting at 1:00 p.m.