Man claims security guard beat him up | People

A security guard said 26 year-old Justin LeVan was tagging signs with a marker in downtown Santa Fe. But it was LeVan who came away with cuts on his face.

LeVan, a server at a nearby restaurant, says the security guard for no reason threw him to the ground and shot a pepper spray gun right into his face.

“I have lacerations to my face and a couple scratches to my eyeballs," LaVan said.

There was a large crowd that saw the aftermath.

In iPhone video you can see LeVan bleeding and in handcuffs put on by the security guard Heath Mora.

Taylor Osborn shot the video from his iPhone. He said as soon as he heard the commotion he started recording.

"As far as why I recorded, I just thought it was gross abuse of power and I felt like it needed to be documented," he said.

Osborn recorded all 20 minutes of the aftermath.

He said he's just happy he could do something to help his friend.

"What was going through my mind was 'this is unreal,'' he said.

Associated Security Industries - which employs Mora - declined an interview and, instead, compiled the following formal statement.

“Because there is a threat of litigation, on the advice of counsel, we must respectfully decline your request for an interview at this time.," the statement reads. "We refer you to the police report prepared concerning the incident. Based upon all of the facts presently at our disposal, we believe that our officer acted appropriately, after witnessing what appeared to be a crime against the property of one of our clients, and after being threatened verbally and physically by Mr. LeVan. Our own internal investigation into this incident, however, is ongoing.”

No one has been arrested or charged in the incident.