VINITA, OKLAHOMA: A dashcam footage has emerged capturing the dramatic moments following the arrest of country music sensation Zach Bryan, shedding light on his tense encounter with Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers at night on Thursday, August 7.
In the video, obtained by TMZ, Bryan can be seen approaching a white SUV belonging to his security guard after the police pulled the vehicle over for speeding. Upon exiting his car, Bryan is promptly instructed by law enforcement to return to his vehicle or face arrest.
The officer's words were unequivocal as he warned, "You either get back in your truck or go to jail, I don't care." In response, Bryan defiantly declared, "I'll go to jail, let's do it."
Zach Bryan heated confrontation with police caught on dashcam
Subsequently, Bryan was handcuffed and placed in the front seat of the police car. The dashcam footage and the accompanying police report reveal Bryan persistently complained about the tightness of the handcuffs. In the video, Bryan also warned the arresting officer that failure to release him from the handcuffs would be a "mistake."
During the video, the country music star can be heard expressing frustration with law enforcement, exclaiming, "F**king cops are out of hand, truly." Bryan also mentions his familiarity with several Oklahoma police officers and even claimed to have invited "40" of them to his recent shows.
Upon completing the traffic violation procedures, the arresting officer inspected Bryan's handcuffs and determined that they were not excessively tight. Nevertheless, he adjusted them for Bryan's comfort, as documented in the police report.
Zach Bryan post-arrest statement and apology
Following his arrest on Thursday, Bryan was taken to Craig County Jail and subsequently released on the same night. In an effort to clarify the incident, Bryan took to social media platform X on Thursday night.
"Today I had an incident with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Emotions got the best of me and I was out of line in the things I said," his statement began.
He continued, "I support law enforcement as much as anyone can, I was just frustrated in the moment, it was unlike me and I apologize. They brought me to jail, and there is a mug shot of me floating around."
"Prayers we can all move on from this and prayers people know I’m just trying the best I can, I love you guys and I am truly sorry to the officers," Bryan concluded.
On Friday morning, Bryan uploaded a lengthy video to his Instagram story, addressing the incident and his subsequent arrest.
"I just want to be completely transparent for everyone who listens to my music about what happened yesterday with me getting arrested and everything," he began in a series of videos posted to his Instagram story. "Because I don't want the internet to do what the internet does and like, I don't know, make stuff up."
He explained that he still has to deal with the "legalities" of the situation, but he did go to jail. He said that police "didn't play favorites," and admitted "I was an idiot today."
Bryan explained that he got pulled over by a cop as he was going "four-five above" and the officer asked for his licence, registration and address. He told the police officer that he did not "feel comfortable" sharing his address and the cop in turn said, "If you don't give me your address, I'm gonna have to take you to jail."
The musician further said that he was asked to step out of the car and was handcuffed. They had a conversation following which Bryan shared his address and his handcuffs were taken off and he was let off with a warning.
He explained that the incident in the dashcam footage occurred later when he was driving to Boston and his security guard got pulled over. Bryan said his response to the officer was him behaving "like a dumba**."
In a follow-up message on X later that Friday afternoon, Bryan stated, "To be clear in the video I posted, I’m not trying to save face or act like the good guy, I was a complete spoiled a**hole to these police officers and I’ll spend the next few weeks trying my best to right my wrongs and take back what I said."
"I do respect police officers and I made a massive mistake. I am embarrassed for myself, my family and the people I love but all I can do now in sincerely apologize," Bryan concluded.
