U.S. Olympic Track Star Fred Kerley Arrested After Confrontation with Miami Beach Police
Fred Kerley, a two-time Olympic medalist for Team USA, was arrested in Miami Beach Thursday night after a physical altercation with police officers. The incident, which escalated from a routine interaction to a violent confrontation, has raised concerns over police conduct and Kerley’s treatment.
The 29-year-old, who was wearing a gray hoodie, approached officers around 11:20 p.m. while they were investigating an unrelated matter on 9th Street. According to an arrest report obtained by CBS News, Kerley was concerned about his vehicle, which was parked nearby, and approached the officers “with an aggressive demeanor.”
The situation quickly escalated into an argument, with Kerley reportedly arguing with both the police and his girlfriend, Cleo Rahman, who attempted to intervene. The altercation soon turned physical, with officers attempting to subdue Kerley. One officer reportedly delivered “multiple hammer fists” to Kerley’s head, while another told him, “Stop resisting!” as Kerley lay on the ground.
“I’m not resisting, get off of me, bro,” Kerley responded, according to the footage. Officers then deployed a taser, causing Kerley to collapse.
Police have stated that Kerley disrupted pedestrian traffic and endangered the safety of nearby restaurant patrons. As a result, he was arrested on charges of battery, resisting an officer without violence, and disorderly conduct.
Kerley’s attorney, Richard L. Cooper, condemned the police response. “It is clear from all available recordings of the arrest (including police-worn body cameras) that the police overreacted to an otherwise peaceful interaction with Mr. Kerley,” Cooper said in a statement to CBS News.
Kerley, a decorated Olympic athlete who won a silver medal in the 100m at the 2020 Olympics and a bronze in the same event at the 2024 Paris Games, appeared in court on Friday. A judge did not find probable cause for the disorderly conduct charge, although Kerley was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center before being released on his own recognizance.
While police stand by their actions, Miami Beach Police Officer Christopher Bess explained that Kerley’s actions led to his arrest. “Mr. Kerley battered one of our officers and pushed him in the chest, at which point the officers put their hands on him and tasered him,” Bess said. “Our officers tried multiple times to de-escalate but Mr. Kerley kept rushing our officers.”
Kerley’s girlfriend, Cleo Rahman—better known as DJ Sky High Baby—was also charged with resisting arrest after attempting to intervene. In bodycam footage, she is heard pleading for officers to stop and expressing disbelief that they were being aggressive with Kerley. “He was not aggressive,” Rahman later told CBS News. “This does not give police the right to push him and be aggressive for no reason.”
The incident took an unexpected turn when Miami Beach police added additional charges against Kerley, including robbery/strong-arm and domestic battery related to an alleged fight with his ex-wife on May 7. These charges were not previously pursued but resurfaced in the aftermath of the arrest. Kerley’s attorney, however, described these charges as “false” and argued that they were fabricated due to increased media attention surrounding the arrest.
In his statement, Cooper further defended Kerley, calling the charges an unjust response to the athlete’s Olympic success. “Mr. Kerley is a record-breaking athlete who has honorably and successfully represented our nation in the Olympics many times,” he said. “These charges are false and indicate the brutal police state that Miami Beach has become.”
Kerley’s arrest and the subsequent charges have sparked a debate over police conduct and the treatment of public figures, with many questioning whether the situation could have been handled differently. As the case unfolds, Kerley’s legal team is expected to continue to challenge the charges and highlight the role of police overreach in the incident.
