Glendale police officer charged with assault after viral arrest video

A Glendale police officer who was filmed kicking a juvenile in the face while cornered inside the Galleria mall has been charged with assault, prosecutors announced Monday.

Gonzalo Zendejas, 39, was charged with one count of assault under color of authority for the incident, which took place in June 2021 as officers responded to a shoplifting call at the interior of Dick's Sporting Goods store.

Video of the arrest, first released by CBS, shows several officers struggling and hitting the teen as he was restrained. Zendejas, who can be seen kicking the lying juvenile in the face, was the only police officer charged. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the other officers involved in the arrest or the status of the teen who was struck.

“While police officers face an extremely difficult and demanding job when working to protect our communities, this responsibility does not excuse actions that endanger others or undermine public trust,” said Dist. Atty. George Gascón said in a statement. “This incident constitutes a serious violation of the duty to serve with integrity and respect.”

Sgt. Vahe Abramyan, a Glendale police spokesperson, said Zendejas has remained on administrative leave since the incident. The three other officers who participated in the arrest have since returned to work, Abramyan said.

Zendejas has not yet appeared in court but faces up to three years in prison if convicted as charged. It was not immediately clear who his lawyer was.