JPD investigating alleged police brutality of high school athlete standout

A Jackson police officer is on administrative leave during an internal affairs investigation into allegations he abused a Jackson student-athlete during a traffic stop.

The investigation stems from accusations made by 19-year-old John Knight III to local media on Monday, the same day he was pulled over by a JPD officer.

Knight said the officer pulled him out of his car, assaulted and handcuffed him on Frontage Road near Olive Garden in north Jackson.

Knight, who can be seen with a visible abrasion and bruising on the right side of his cheek, told WAPT News the officer also put a gun to his head.

Knight said the officer never told him what he pulled him over for and eventually unlatched the handcuffs and let Knight go without charges.

Knight's father, John Knight, identified the JPD officer as Vincent Lampkin in a post to social media following the incident. JPD would not confirm.

"Our son is a very responsible and respectful young man ... Why did this have to happen to our son? He is one of the good ones not a bad bone in his body," his father said.

However, interim Police Chief Anthony Moore said Tuesday there's a discrepancy over Knight's depiction of events.

"There are some discrepancies between the motorist and the officer involved as to what exactly occurred. As soon as the investigation is complete, we'll be able to answer some of those questions," Moore said at a news conference Tuesday.

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Sgt. Roderick Holmes said if the investigation proves a crime has been committed, it'll be forwarded to Hinds County Circuit Court like any other criminal case.

Holmes confirmed Knight was never charged with a crime or brought to the JPD.

"That'll be one of the things they investigate," he said, referring to internal affairs.

Moore said he has refrained from talking to the officer involved in the incident, as part of police protocol is to not contaminate the investigation.

"The Jackson Police Department does not condone illegal or abusive behavior among the police officer involved in this incident or any officer involved in any incident," Moore said.

Knight, a former standout basketball player at Callaway High School, signed to play ball with Utah State on May 8.

JPD lacks the funding to use dashcam cameras in its patrol cars, which could have recorded the incident. The Jackson City Council has talked briefly about getting body cameras for its officers but faces the same funding challenges.

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