Video shows Dallas paramedic kicking homeless man several times in the head

By Leila Merrill

DALLAS — A newly released video shows a paramedic kicking a homeless man several times in the head before police arrived at the scene, according to the Dallas Observer, which obtained the video.

The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department has put the paramedic, Brad Cox, on administrative leave since the video surfaced, WFAA reported. Cox, who has training in mixed martial arts, has a history of disciplinary matters dating back to 2016.

On Aug. 2, 2019, Cox and other firefighters were responding to a report of a grassfire. In body camera footage from that day, Cox says that he thinks a homeless man named Kyle Vess started the fire. Dallas sheriff’s deputies and police officers arrived to arrest Vess after Cox began kicking Vess.

Vess had facial fractures, a black eye, a bloody nose, and a swollen ankle, according to police documents. Vess has filed a lawsuit against Cox for detaining him and using excessive force.

“The fact remains, Mr. Cox basically bludgeoned my client, sent him to Parkland Hospital and kicked him with a firefighter boot,” attorney George Milner told WFAA.