The fatal beating Robert Brooks — who was captured on horrific body cam video by New York correctional officers — is being investigated by the FBI, TMZ has learned.
The federal agency said in a statement to TMZ… “The FBI's Albany Field Office and the Department of Justice are reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Robert L. Brooks to determine the appropriate federal response.” Since it is an ongoing We are unable to provide any further comment at this time.”
The big development comes a day later Bodycam footage The New York state attorney general released an account of corrections officers brutally beating a handcuffed Brooks – who died hours later – and showed officers repeatedly beating the bloodied man.
The shocking video shows Brooks – an inmate serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault – being punched and kicked… and gagged with what appears to be a towel.
Attorney General of the State of New York
The footage also shows an officer repeatedly hitting Brooks with a shoe while other officers pinned him behind his back with his arms. At one point, the officers pick Brooks up by his neck… He has blood all over his face and can't even support his own weight.
Elizabeth Mazur, attorney for Robert Brooks' family, said in a statement to TMZ…
“With the Attorney General’s release of these videos, the public can now see for themselves the horrific and extreme nature of the fatal attack on Robert L. Brooks. As viewers can see, Mr. Brooks was fatally and brutally beaten by a group of officers tasked with ensuring his safety. He deserves to live, and every other resident of Marcy Correctional Facility deserves to know that they do not have to live in fear of violence at the hands of prison staff.”
The results of Brooks' autopsy have yet to be released by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office.
We reached out to the corner office on Saturday for an update on the case…no response yet.