Watch: Traffic stop becomes violent after police officer engages with Ferguson man

An exchange between a Ferguson, Mo., man and a Calverton Park police officer turned violent last week. The incident was caught on the officer’s dashcam video.

Markarios Kirkwood, 43, was charged with third-degree assault on an officer, according to court documents. He was pulled over after the officer, Alec Bowes, said he observed Kirkwood speeding.

In the video, Kirkwood can be seen pulling off the road and going over a curb.

Bowes approaches Kirkwood’s vehicle and, upon smelling marijuana, asks Kirkwood to exit the vehicle.

As the officer attempts to pat him down, Kirkwood’s arms lower multiple times despite the officer’s commands to keep his arms raised.

As Bowes directs Kirkwood to the ground, Kirkwood attempts to flee. Bowes grabs Kirkwood, and a struggle ensues.

Bowes told KTVI, a St. Louis-area media outlet, that Kirkwood said he was scared and that he didn’t want to go to jail.

“He reached for my gun,” Bowes said.

The struggled lasted about two minutes before the officer subdued Kirkwood.

Bowes suffered minor injuries, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Kirkwood’s bond is set at $50,000.

This story was originally published September 12, 2017 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Watch: Traffic stop becomes violent after police officer engages with Ferguson man."