New video shows brothers Brian and Zach Hickerson being detained by police outside a bar in Greenville, South Carolina, following an alleged altercation with other patrons.
The 88-second footage shows both men in handcuffs surrounded by officers at the Wild Wing Cafe on Saturday night. Police said they had been called to the venue after the reported confrontation.
Zach Hickerson can be heard arguing that officers had failed to arrest people who allegedly assaulted Brian. He also asks to be taken to jail and tells his brother they are “in this together”.
He then points out that Brian remains handcuffed while those who allegedly assaulted him do not, describing the situation as “fascinating”. Officers subsequently escort Zach to a patrol car.
A spokesperson for Greenville Police said Zach, who officers allege was highly intoxicated, was arrested for disorderly conduct after allegedly shouting obscenities in public. He was later released from the Greenville County Detention Centre.
Brian is shown sitting on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back while speaking calmly with officers. He was eventually uncuffed and allowed to leave without being charged.
Brian is also speaking to the US Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the investigation into the suspected overdose death of Hayden Panettiere in South Carolina.
Panettiere was found dead by the Hickerson brothers inside a Greenville apartment on 16 August. The Greenville County Medical Examiner is conducting toxicology tests to establish the cause and manner of her death, while the DEA is leading the investigation.
Sources cited in the material say investigators believe Panettiere obtained oxycodone from a Los Angeles-based drug dealer and travelled to South Carolina with the pills. They allege she died after taking one that was laced with fentanyl.
