Oklahoma City Cop Who Slammed Elderly Man to the Ground, Breaking His Neck During Traffic Dispute Is Charged with Felony Assault As Victim Remains Hospitalized: ‘This Is the First Step’

A 28-year-old Oklahoma City police officer was charged Thursday with felony assault stemming from an altercation with an elderly Vietnamese man suffering from bone cancer. Lich Vu weighs only 110 pounds and stands just 5 feet 3. Body camera footage showed Sgt. Joseph Gibson throwing 71-year-old man to the ground after Vu touched Gibson’s chest during an argument over a traffic citation. According to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, Gibson performed a “takedown” maneuver, causing Vu’s head to hit the pavement. Lich Vu, 71, remains hospitalized after he was slammed to the ground by Oklahoma City police officer Joseph Gibson after the elderly man refused to sign a citation accusing him of making an illegal u-turn. (Photos: Vu family) Vu sustained serious injuries, including an orbital fracture, neck fracture and a brain bleed. He remains hospitalized while Gibson has been on administrative leave, prosecutors say. While the video is damning, Gibson maintains institutional support. The Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police said in a statement they stand behind the officer, “who handled this call for service with professionalism.” “It is very disappointing to see a police officer face felony charges for actions taken in good faith while serving in...