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Investigation Underway After Video Shows Baltimore School Police Officer Striking Young Man

BALTIMORE, M.D., (CBS) -- Stunning video from inside a Baltimore school has left city and school officials nearly speechless, and has two officers in some hot water. On Thursday, Baltimore Police officials announced that they are handling an investigation that involves school police.

Below is a video that is now generating nationwide attention. The video was first sent to WJZ in Baltimore and shows a uniformed police officer's shocking interaction with a young man at the Reach Partnership High School in Baltimore. In a wider view, you can see another officer standing next to the one seen slapping and kicking.

Both officers have been reassigned in what school officials are calling a vigorous investigation.

"As a parent of a Baltimore City school student, I was appalled," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "The behavior that was demonstrated on the video is certainly something you never want to see."

Our sister station, WJZ, has also confirmed that the chief of City Schools police, Marshall Goodwin, has been placed on administrative leave.

What we don't know is what happened before or after the confrontation.

"I saw what appeared to be an act of violence. No matter what the circumstances are, I am totally appalled," said Karl E. Perry, the Chief Schools Supports Officer. "That behavior should never be tolerated and it won't be."

School officials say they are unsure of whether or not the person in the video being hit was a student as they continue to look into the encounter.

The video was shot by a student with a cell phone, but it's still unclear whether or not the victim was a student as well.

For more on this developing story, visit WJZ's website.

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