A Greenville County deputy has been placed on administrative leave after witnesses filmed him striking a man who was being held on the floor of the Walmart on White Horse Road, authorities said Sunday.
Sheriff's Office spokesman Jonathan Smith said the deputy's use of force while making the arrest Saturday is under investigation internally. He also said he wouldn't comment on the videos shared on social media that show a man being punched repeatedly in the head.
Warrants identified the man as Sandon Matthew Sierad, 32, of 6 Cotton St., Greenville, who was charged with resisting arrest, assault and battery third degree and public disorderly conduct.
The man had been inside the store for 30 minutes before authorities were called to Walmart about a disturbance just after 1 p.m., Smith said.
He said the man showed "erratic behavior" based on discussions with employees and the man's own call to 9-1-1 in which he told dispatchers his truck was missing while standing next to it.