Cellphone video of U.S. marshal prompts call for federal probe

Melanie Eversley | USA TODAY

Cellphone video of a U.S. marshal rushing a woman filming police activity in metro Los Angeles, grabbing her cellphone, throwing it to the ground and kicking it has gone viral, prompting a U.S. congresswoman to take action.

U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn, D-Calif., said in a statement that she was "alarmed and upset" at the video of the incident between a law enforcement officer and resident Beatriz Paez and has called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate.

"I condemn the actions of the U.S. marshal who violently and improperly responded by destroying Ms. Paez's property, terrifying her and denying her rights," Hahn's statement read.

Along with the investigation, she said she also wants all members of law enforcement to receive training on how to treat citizens recording video.

The U.S. Marshals Service referred the Los Angeles Times to the South Gate Police Department.

A woman who answered the phone at the South Gate Police Department referred a phone call to a line that rang with no pick up or voice mail.

Please note the video includes graphic language:

The incident erupted after Paez, out for a Sunday stroll in South Gate, Los Angeles County, spotted police rounding up an outlaw gang and began recording, the Los Angeles Times reported.

At first, two officers tried to block Paez's view, the Times reported. The marshal then rushed Paez and grabbed the phone,

The video, recorded by someone across the street from Paez, had received more than a million views as of midnight ET.