The Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, has dismissed a criminal charge against Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Joseph Gibson, following a controversial incident that left a 71-year-old man, Mr. Vu, injured. The charge was related to an altercation where Gibson forcefully slammed Vu to the ground during a traffic dispute, resulting in Mr. Vu sustaining a broken neck, a brain bleed, and fractures to his neck and eye socket, according to the case details.
In a statement, AG Drummond emphasized his commitment to supporting police officers following standard training procedures, noting, “I will not permit Oklahoma police officers to face criminal prosecution for conduct adhering to their training.” Drummond insisted the officer lacked criminal intent despite the severe outcome for Vu, outlining that no individual should physically engage with an officer, a sentiment he underscored as critical to maintaining order. The AG’s full statement can be found on Oklahoma’s official website.
Body-camera footage revealed the chain of events that led to the altercation, depicting Vu as he disagreed with Gibson over a traffic incident. When Vu tapped Gibson on the chest, tension escalated, culminating in Vu being forcibly taken to the ground and handcuffed. The footage is available for viewing here.
The dismissal has provoked a strong response. Vicky Behenna, the Oklahoma County District Attorney who had initially filed the charge, expressed disappointment and surprise at Drummond’s decision to remove the case from her jurisdiction. Her statement suggests a fracture in the handling of the matter at different levels of law enforcement accountability, which has been the focus of intense public scrutiny. Behenna’s comments can be read in full on her official Facebook page.
The response from the local Vietnamese community has been swift and vocal. Advocates argue that the incident underscores challenges in cross-cultural interactions within law enforcement, with Vu reportedly struggling to understand the officer’s instructions. The tension experienced by the community is further detailed in a collective statement on the community’s Facebook page.