A Bridgeport police officer was placed on administrative leave after being captured on video apparently striking a suspect in the head with a gun.

 In the video, a suspect can be seen stepping out of a vehicle. Then, according to a police report, Officer Gianni Capozziello struck that person in the head with his department-issued gun.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim told News 12 Connecticut that he has only seen this video and not a dash or body cam, but thinks the evidence is compelling. He says he told the chief that the officer needs to be prosecuted and terminated and looked at by the State Attorney's Office for assault.

In a statement, Police Chief A.J. Perez says, "I instructed Internal Affairs to retain the dashcam and bodycam videos of the arrest scene and to begin an investigation. Everything that can immediately be done to address this incident, has been done."

In the police report, the officer defends his actions. He says, “I observed both his hands drop to his waistline... the waistline is used to conceal a possible weapon. Fearing (the suspect) was reaching for a weapon with his right hand...and unable to holster my department-issued pistol...I utilized the magazine well area of my pistol as an emergency impact weapon."

A spokesman for the police union says they are examining the facts of the case but will wait for the outcome of the investigation to comment on it.

City officials say the officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.