Video shows paramedic repeatedly kick homeless man on ground

New surveillance footage shows a homeless man being kicked at least nine times within the span of two minutes by a paramedic during a 2019 encounter, The Dallas Morning News reported after obtaining the video. 

The footage, which is compiled into nine clips with some interruptions, appears to show Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedic Brad Cox kicking Kyle Vess multiple times. Cox has alleged that Vess tried to fight him. Vess is currently under house arrest on charges of assault on a public servant, according to the news outlet.

“Mr. Vess and his family are grateful the Dallas Police Department has finally released these videos and made known to the world what we have known for some time. Mr. Cox savagely beat Mr. Vess and he should be prosecuted,” George Milner III, Vess’ lawyer, told the news outlet.

Vess’ family is suing the paramedic and Dallas; his family has said he suffers from a schizophrenia-like illness.

Milner told The Hill that he suspected the video released was not all of it, saying it seemed odd that the footage did not know a fire truck arriving at the scene, and called for the full release of the surveillance footage. 

Cox is currently on paid leave from the department, a spokesperson for the Dallas Fire-Rescue confirmed to The Hill.

The Dallas Morning News noted that Cox’s personnel file indicated that he had been on probation during the time of the event in 2019 for a separate incident, but noted that it did not appear that incident was investigated by the Dallas Fire-Rescue.

“The department does not discuss personnel matter, but I can confirm that Brad Cox is on paid administrative leave while under investigation,” Jason Evans, a spokesperson for the Dallas Fire-Rescue, told The Hill in an email. “Additionally, we will not be answering any questions, or making any comments, on matters involved in pending litigation.”

Det. Lee Allen told the Dallas Morning News last month that officials ruled that Cox had been acting in self-defense and had not committed a crime after the Dallas’ public integrity unit in the police department received a report of the incident from officers who witnessed Cox’s actions with Vess. 

The Hill has reached out to a lawyers for Cox for comment.