2nd St. Paul cop on leave in video incident

A second St. Paul police officer has been placed on administrative leave in connection with a police investigation of a video that appears to show one officer kicking a man and two officers slamming his head against a police car.

"As the investigation proceeded, officials became aware of information that Chief Smith believed warranted placing a second officer on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation," St. Paul Police Department spokesperson Howie Padilla said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Police did not release the name of the second police officer or provide any details about his role in the incident.

The alleged assault occurred shortly before police arrested Eric Hightower on Aug. 28 in St. Paul. Hightower, 30, was later charged with stalking and threatening his ex-girlfriend.

On Aug. 29, Officer Jesse Zilge was placed on administrative leave after a video of the incident was posted on YouTube. In the five-minute video, Zilge appears to kick Hightower in the neck or chest.

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