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Video Shows Chicago Police Throwing Coffee At River North Motorcyclist

By David Matthews | January 23, 2017 12:22pm | Updated on January 23, 2017 3:01pm

RIVER NORTH — Chicago police say they're investigating a video that shows an officer throwing a cup of coffee at a motorcyclist zipping through River North.

The video has been viewed nearly 7,000 times since being posted Sunday to YouTube, but it's got new life on Reddit, where scores of commenters are now debating who's in the wrong: the officer, the motorcyclist or both.

A Go-Pro-type video by one of the riders shows a slew of motorcycles moving along Hubbard Street, with one driver doing a wheelie and others swerving toward the center of the road. A man who appears to be in a Chicago police uniform shows his displeasure by throwing a paper cup of coffee at the filmmaker before the motorcycles turn south on State Street. 

"I got you on camera, bro!" the filmmaker says in the video. 

Chicago police said Monday morning they are working to verify the video and identify any officers involved. 

"An investigation has begun to determine the authenticity of the video, as well as identity of the officer involved, if authenticated," police said via email Monday morning.

Eddie Johnson, the Chicago police superintendent, said in a news conference Monday that he's seen the video. 

"There's nothing I can say to defend actions like that," Johnson said. 

Now, the online peanut gallery is debating who's worse: motorcyclists disobeying traffic laws, or the officer who threw the cup.

Watch the video and weigh in yourself on Neighborhood Square: