Police cited the men the next day for sleeping on the station floor, not for the altercation. The
A video viewed more than 4.75 million times on social media shows Officer
The DA's office said the prosecutors who declined to move forward on the sleeping-related violations were not aware the men were also allegedly involved in the altercation with the officer. Charges could still be brought if they men are arrested in connection with that matter, the DA's office said.
The lack of criminal charges stemming from the fight angered Ali's union, the
"There is no telling how much damage these mopes would have done to that courageous police officer had he not been equipped to handle them," union president
"Had it gone the other way, we might have had a seriously injured or dead police officer instead. It's wrong that they were not charged for attacking him."
One of the homeless men tumbled off the platform in the chaos and had to be pulled from the tracks. He and the others were taken to a hospital for treatment, and no charges were immediately filed.
The men weren't arrested until the next morning when police spotted them back at the East
"When people are arrested for attacking officers, we prosecute them," said
Mayor
City Councilman
"Why were the attackers released?" the