DC Police investigating after video shows officer handcuffing 9-year-old boy

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - A mother is crying foul after a video shows officers handcuffing her nine-year-old son. DC Police say the boy was leaning up against a car which prompted the interaction.

In a video FOX 5 obtained from a woman claiming to be the boy's mother, the nine-year-old is seen running away from the officer at the corner of 14th and Girard streets in Northwest, however, the boy only stays within the intersection. You can hear others nearby laughing as the officer chases the boy in several circles around cars.

Once the officer grabs hold of the boy, he falls down. Next, you can see the officer grabbing the nine-year-old and taking him to a corner where he eventually puts handcuffs on him.

In the video, the boy can be seen hysterically crying during the entire ordeal, which forces others nearby to scream in anger.

FOX 5 asked the Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday if handcuffing a nine-year-old in a situation like this is justified. They say every case is different.

"It just depends on whether the officer feels that there is a threat or what situation led up to. We have juveniles that are involved in all sorts of different activities within the city. Certainly, we will get to the bottom of this," said MPD Patrol Chief Lamar Greene.

FOX 5 also asked Mayor Bowser for a reaction to the incident and other incidents in general. She was hesitant to give a definitive answer.

"Every case is different," said Bowser. "I would also suggest you not promote pictures of juveniles in this situation."

On Tuesday evening, FOX 5's Evan Lambert sat down with the boy's mother, Autumn Drayton, and her nine-year-old son.

"I was devastated. I was devastated. I was traumatized for my son having to go through that," said Drayton. "His use of force was unnecessary. My son was not a threat. He was not committing a crime. He was not harming anyone. It should have never been to that."

Drayton says she was never contacted by police and found out what happened from a family member.

Her son was not charged and was released to a parent following the incident.

This incident is currently under investigation by police.