A probe has been launched after a video of a Georgia State Patrol officer allegedly stomping on an alleged suspect lying on the ground has gone viral on social media, with some people saying that the use of force by the cop was excessive. 

According to the state patrol, the incident took place on October 3 evening when a trooper conducted a traffic stop because the driver, identified as 27-year-old Jamarco Lucas, was not wearing a seat belt. 

Officials said Lucas initially stopped but soon fled the traffic stop, resulting in a police pursuit. He eventually exited his vehicle and fled on foot. The trooper allegedly saw Lucas exit his vehicle “with his right hand inside his waistband.”

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The video that has gone viral on social media showed the trooper chasing Lucas on foot through a residential area before deploying his stun gun twice, hitting the man once. He eventually falls onto the ground. 

Officials said the trooper noticed a handgun fall from Lucas’ waistband during the pursuit, but didn’t see where it fell. When he fell to the ground, he was told to show his hands, but he refused. Not sure if the man was unarmed, the trooper “applied a foot strike to the center of the driver’s body and then another to the driver’s right-hand area, which appeared to still be in the waistband,” officials said. 

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Lucas was taken into custody and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, reckless driving, speeding, improper lane change, failure to obey a traffic control device, driving while unlicensed and no seatbelt.

Meanwhile, the Georgia State Patrol has said it is reviewing the trooper’s use of force during the incident.