Phenix City Police respond to viral video of arrest

The Phenix City Police Department is responding to a video circulating online which shows an individual being arrested Sunday May 17, 2026. The video posted by Onlycolga on Facebook shows a suspect with his hands up appearing to surrender to police before he is aggressively tackled to the ground by a responding officer.

Phenix City Police say the suspect failed to follow commands and the officers followed department policy. The police department issued the following press release to provide context of the short video and why the suspect was apprehended.

On May 17, 2026, at approximately 8:00 PM, the Phenix City Police Department
responded to the Dollar Tree located at 500 13th Street in reference to a disorderly
subject in the parking lot. Upon arrival, the first responding officer was advised there
had been an altercation involving a male subject and two females, one of whom was
pregnant. Witnesses stated the male subject was harassing the females and acting in a
disorderly manner, including groping himself in public.

The male subject, later identified as Jaicyn Banda, was observed walking across the parking lot toward the Phenix City Art Park. The responding officer made contact with Banda and issued loud verbal commands for him to stop; however, Banda failed to comply. The officer continued following Banda while giving repeated verbal commands and waiting for backup officers to arrive.

Once a second officer arrived on scene, Banda stopped walking but continued
to refuse commands to get on the ground. After numerous verbal commands were
ignored, the second officer forced Banda to the ground and he was placed into
handcuffs.

Once Banda was in custody, officers observed he had sustained injuries during
the earlier altercation in the Dollar Tree parking lot. Officers immediately rendered aid
and requested medical assistance. Officers also reported detecting a strong odor of
alcohol coming from Banda’s person.

The Columbus Police Department later advised that Banda had consumed several alcoholic beverages at a bar in downtown Columbus and left the establishment without paying.
Banda was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

On May 18, 2026, warrants were obtained for the arrest of Jaicyn Banda on the following charges:

Disorderly Conduct
Public Intoxication
Attempting to Elude
Resisting Arrest

All response to resistance reports are reviewed by the Phenix City Police Department. Officers involved in this case are in compliance with all department policies and procedures.