Police investigate BART police assault

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Officials say they'll investigate whether a transit officer in California hit a passenger minutes before the unarmed man was fatally shot by another officer.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that the Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority says it will investigate the cell phone video that shows a male BART police officer walking over to three men lined up against a wall near a female officer, and then striking one in the face.

The video is believed to be of Oscar Grant, 22, who was fatally shot by BART Officer Johannes Mehserle, 27, on New Year's Day. The newspaper said until Saturday BART was not investigating the conduct of anyone besides Mehserle.

The newspaper reported that sources have identified the officer as Tony Pirone. He and the other officers present at the time of Grant's shooting all remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into Grant's death.

Mehserle, who was charged with murder, has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.