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Philadelphia Police Investigating Viral Video of Officer Shoving Man, Slapping Phone Over Instagram 'Likes'

A Philadelphia police officer is under investigation after a viral video showed him pushing a man and slapping a bystander's phone during a confrontation over Instagram likes on his daughter's photos. The department confirmed it is aware of the footage but has not released details on when or where the incident occurred.

Philadelphia Police Investigating Viral Video of Officer Shoving Man, Slapping Phone Over Instagram 'Likes'

Philadelphia police have launched an internal investigation after a video circulated widely on social media showing a uniformed officer shoving a man and striking a bystander's phone during a confrontation that he framed as a dispute over Instagram activity on his daughter's photos.

The footage, posted to social media, begins with the officer pulling up in a police vehicle and walking across a lawn toward a man who repeatedly tells him, "Don't come on this property." The officer responds by asking whether the man wanted to "like my daughter's pictures," and the man denies having done so.

The officer then pushes the man, saying, "You got me f----- up," before turning toward the person recording the encounter. He challenges the person filming about liking his daughter's photos on Instagram, then repeatedly slaps the phone while declaring, "I don't give a f---." The video ends at that point.

The person who recorded the incident alleged that the officer also threatened to "put a bullet in his head," though that remark is not captured in the footage.

Philadelphia police told reporters they are aware of the video and are investigating. The department did not confirm when or where the incident took place, and it has not publicly identified the officer involved.

The episode raises familiar questions for city residents about police accountability and the use of force, even in non-arrest encounters. It also underscores how quickly bystander video can force official scrutiny of conduct that might otherwise go unreported.

Police have not said whether the officer has been reassigned or placed on administrative duty while the investigation proceeds. The department has also not indicated how long its review might take or whether it will release further information about the findings.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Philadelphia police.

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