The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is now investigating an Edmonton man's claim that he was the victim of police brutality. It comes after CTV News obtained video surveillance of the man's arrest by three officers at his business. A witness has also come forward to CTV backing the man's claim of police brutality.

On Sunday, Sammy Sobieh says there was a disagreement outside his shop where police were called, and responded with guns drawn.

He says he dropped his cigarettes and lighter he had in his hand and turned around because he was ordered to. And that's when he says the officers grabbed him and slammed him to the ground.

Edmonton police say a witness told them Sobieh had a weapon, which Sobieh's denies. The video surveillance shows Sobieh's arrested by three officers.

Sobieh has not only denied that he did not have a weapon, but that he was not the aggressor in an argument prior to his arrest. And a new witness is supporting that.

"He was yelling 'oh he's got a meat hook. He's coming after me, you gotta get here quick!'" said Brenda.

Brenda says Sobieh never had a weapon and claims to have called 911 telling them that. She can't understand why police responded the way they did.

"Guns drawn and then throw him to the ground and have a beat-down. I was so shocked."

Sobieh was arrested and escorted outside. He alleges he was then punched and kicked again in the alley, but the cameras do not point in that direction.

On Thursday, he lodged a complaint with the Professional Standards Branch (PSB) against the three officers, alleging excessive force was used during the arrest.

Police Chief Rod Knecht has reviewed the surveillance video and requested that ASIRT investigate the file. 

"It's a serious allegation. It's an allegation we must investigate," he said.

The police chief acknowledges the takedown was violent, but he won't say at this point whether the force was justified or not.

"ASIRT will take over the investigation. We will have nothing to do with that until their investigation is completed."

The video shows an officer pounding on the back of Sobieh. The police chief says

there is a risk in a situation like this that a suspect may be concealing a weapon and trying to reach it -- so officers need to free a suspect's hands using some force.

Reaction from the online community has been largely critical of the officers' actions.

Knecht says public perception of police is a real issue right now calling the video "concerning."

"We don't want to pre-judge anything before we have all of the facts. These folks have families. Their families see these videos as well."

Knecht stresses this is a very stressful situation not only for Sobieh and his family, but for the officers involved and their families.

He is concerned that this is a trust issue with the public as well. He hopes ASIRT's investigation is done properly but quickly.

Sobieh has been charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon and uttering threats.

With files from Sean Amato