BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Burlington Community Service Officer is recovering in hospital after being assaulted by a citizen.
Police say it happened around 1:30 am Saturday, when two community service officers were on foot-patrol post at the corner of Church and Main St.
41-year-old Michael Gbenusola was walking south on Church St. yelling racial slurs and swear words, and when the officer asked if he was ok, Gbenusola swore at him and then violently punched the officer in the face, knocking him backwards.
Police say he then continued to move towards the officer, getting ready to strike again, when the officer warned him not to, and then used his taser on him.
Additional officers arrived on scene preventing Gbenusola from continuing.
The officer was transported to UVM’s Emergency Department for evaluation for a possible traumatic brain injury.
This isn’t Gbenusola’s first run in with law. According to his criminal history, he has three failures to appear, six violations of court orders, six felony charges, nine misdemeanors and two charges for assaultive crimes.
He is being held without bail.