2 Round Rock officers hurt in scuffle

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - Two Round Rock officers were injured while trying to subdue a man outside Rick’s Cabaret. But that man is asking that charges be dropped due to the officers’ excessive use of force.

Marcus Habbit, 26, suffered a concussion and four spinal fractures according to his family who claims he was doing nothing wrong when an officer approached him on the night of Sept. 19.

According to an arrest affidavit, officers were patrolling the parking lot of Rick’s Cabaret in Round Rock on foot as part of a directed patrol due to the area’s increase in recent crime.

Habbit was in his car with the engine shut off when an officer went to inquire.

As the officer went to talk with him, Habbit started his engine. That is when the officer opened the door and tried to remove Habbit from his car.

Habbit’s family said he started the car in order to roll down his window and speak with the officer.

Police say Habbit smelled of alcohol and was uncooperative with the officer who was trying to question him. A struggle ensued when Habbit tried to walk away, according to police.

During the struggle, two officers were hurt, including one that was transported to a hospital with an eye injury.

Habbit was shot with a stun gun several times, but Round Rock police say it was an on-site security guard hired by Rick’s Cabaret that deployed the device.

Habbit is charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, however, he and his family are fighting to have the charges dropped on the grounds that officers used excessive force and no probable cause to approach Habbit in the first place.

RRPD says a formal complaint has not been filed and a review of the incident will take place once a complaint is made.