Newly released police video shows Arkansas State Police Trooper Theodore Henderson breaking an SUV’s rear window, gripping passenger Tedrick Washington by the arm and hair, and punching him twice during an arrest that followed a high-speed pursuit. Calls are growing — including from attorney Ben Crump — for Henderson to be fired.
Newly released police video is drawing national attention after it showed an Arkansas State Police trooper break a vehicle’s rear window, grab a passenger by his arm and dreadlocks, and punch him twice during a violent arrest.
What the Video Shows
The footage shows Trooper Theodore Henderson pulling 23-year-old Tedrick Washington toward a broken rear window before striking him — once while he was still partially inside the SUV, and a second time after the struggle continued on the ground. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread calls, including from civil rights attorney Ben Crump, for Henderson to be removed from his position.
Washington was a passenger in the vehicle, not the driver. He was later charged with obstruction of governmental operations and resisting arrest. As of this report, it remains unclear what specific conduct on Washington’s part is alleged to justify those charges beyond what unfolded during the arrest itself.
How the Chase Started
According to Henderson’s incident report, the encounter began the night of August 19 at approximately 11:21 p.m. on Arkansas 18, when he clocked a 2023 Infiniti QX50 traveling 82 mph in a 60-mph zone near the Big Lake bridge. When Henderson activated his emergency lights, the driver allegedly accelerated instead of stopping.
Henderson reported the SUV’s speed climbing rapidly — from an initial 113 mph up to 130 mph, with his own pursuit speed reaching between 130 and more than 140 mph as he tried to catch up.
Blytheville police deployed spike strips near County Road 239. The SUV reportedly struck the strips but kept going, running a red light at the intersection of Arkansas 18 and Arkansas 151 while its front driver’s-side tire lost air. Henderson’s first attempt at a tactical vehicle intervention failed to stop the vehicle; a second attempt succeeded, pushing the SUV over a curb near North 16th and West Walnut streets and bringing it to a stop.
The Arrest
Police identified the driver as 25-year-old Adonerus Johnson. According to reports, Henderson saw Johnson climb from the driver’s seat into the back and attempt to exit through a rear door. Gosnell Police Cpl. Cade Liles drew his firearm, ordered Johnson to the ground, and ultimately deployed his Taser multiple times before taking Johnson into custody.
Henderson then turned his attention to Washington, seated behind the driver. Video shows Henderson ordering Washington out of the vehicle before breaking the rear driver’s-side window with a baton. In his report, Henderson wrote that Washington said he was unable to get out and did not comply with repeated commands to crawl through the opening.
Henderson then grabbed Washington’s left wrist and a handful of his hair. According to Henderson’s account, Washington pulled his arm away and braced against the partially open door. Henderson wrote that Washington then “postured up” in a way that appeared to signal he was preparing to strike, at which point Henderson punched him once in the left side of the face.
Henderson pulled Washington from the vehicle and took him to the ground. He reported that Washington tensed his arms, pulled away, and kept one arm tucked beneath his head as officers tried to handcuff him — at which point Henderson punched him a second time in the left cheek.
Cpl. Liles reported that Washington tried to push officers away and repeatedly reached toward his waistband, and described Henderson delivering multiple closed-hand strikes to Washington’s face. Liles also noted that Washington was bleeding by the end of the encounter. Pafford EMS examined all three occupants of the vehicle, though records do not indicate anyone was transported to a hospital.
Charges and Accountability
Johnson later provided a breath sample registering 0.17. He was booked on multiple charges, including felony fleeing, a first-offense DWI, reckless driving, resisting arrest, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, improper passing, failure to stop at a red light, not wearing a seat belt, and unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a felony.
A front-seat passenger in the vehicle complied with officers’ commands and was released without charges.
A Gosnell Police Department use-of-force review found Cpl. Liles’ actions — including his firearm display, Taser use, and hands-on force — justified under department policy. That review, however, addressed only Liles’ conduct, not Henderson’s.
As of the release of these records, there is no separate Arkansas State Police administrative finding on Henderson’s use of force, and no statement from Washington has been made public.
This is a developing story. It will be updated if Arkansas State Police release further findings on Trooper Henderson’s conduct
