Mayor Deegan and JCAC address viral videos of JSO punching fans at the Georgia-Florida game

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan took to social media Sunday morning to address the viral videos showing JSO officers punching fans during Saturday night's Georgia-Florida game.

RELATED: New videos show JSO officers beating participants at the Georgia-Florida game from multiple angles

I am aware of several disturbing videos from yesterday's game circulating. I have spoken to Sheriff Waters and the incidents are currently under investigation. We are awaiting the outcome of this investigation.

Mayor Donna Deegan (X.com)

On Sunday around 2:30 p.m., the Jacksonville Community Action Committee also responded to the videos, saying:

“We are deeply disturbed by the excessive use of force by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office during the recent Florida-Georgia football game. What should have been a unifying event was marred by aggressive and unnecessary tactics that put fans and families in danger. These violent actions not only undermine public trust, but also highlight the urgent need for accountability and oversight in law enforcement.

This display of brutality reminds us why our community needs a greater voice on public safety issues. We call for the establishment of an independent Public Safety Committee (PSC) with community representation, empowered to review and make recommendations on police practices.

We stand in solidarity with those affected by the JSO brutality and demand a thorough investigation and accountability. It is time for Jacksonville to prioritize a PSC that reflects and respects our community, especially given the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s troubling history of violence and police brutality.”

Jacksonville Community Spokesperson

The video taken during the Georgia-Florida game

Another angle of the incident can be seen here.

It's unclear from the video what sparked the altercation, but a uniformed police officer is seen punching a participant in the Georgia-Florida game several times in the back of the head.

In other videos of the incident, the officer appears to have the fan in a headlock as a witness shouts, “Why are you hitting him?”

The video ends with the officer who hit the fan in the back of the head standing next to the person, holding a Taser.

John Phillips, a civil rights attorney, told News4JAX that the video was “horrific,” but added that “we don't know the full context” of the situation and what led to the incident.

News4JAX also spoke to security analyst Tom Hackney, who said: “The suspect had his hands wrapped [the police officer‘s] Waist and in 100% of law enforcement encounters there is a gun…One of the things that is really addressed in the training is firearm safety.”

He continued: “If someone puts their hands around your waist, [and] You are near the firearm and [with] With such a large crowd it can always get worse.”

After the video first surfaced, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to News4JAX's request for comment on the video with the following statement:

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Professional Standards Division is aware of circulating videos of the Georgia-Florida football game. Administrative reviews of the incidents are underway. Therefore, the agency will not comment until all facts are known and reviews are completed.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office