Investigations are underway after a kidnapping and sexual assault suspect appeared to be punched by police following a weekend high-speed chase that ended in Blount County.

The incident took place Saturday after the Blount County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a rape and kidnapping. The Warrior Police Department was alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect and, along with other law enforcement agencies, began to pursue the suspect.

A motorist captured video of the suspect on the ground on the side of Highway 160 in Hayden with police punching him. That video was sent to, and aired by, Fox 6 news.

Warrior Police Chief Scott Praytor said he was made aware of the video by the television news station.

“We didn’t know it existed,’’ Praytor said. “It was never sent to us.”

“Of course, it looks bad but to be fair to everybody involved, we’re going to do a full investigation,’’ the chief said. “The investigation is just getting started.”

Praytor said the video doesn’t show everything that took place, and said the suspect was armed with a gun.

“There had to be a choice made and it had to be made quick because the guy was running,’’ Praytor said.

“Was the force justified because of what he was doing once they tangled up?’’ he said. “That’s what we have to unravel right now and figure out.”

Praytor said he is doing an internal investigation but also has requested a separate investigation from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

“We’re going to do a thorough investigation from every aspect,’’ Praytor said.

The suspect, William Ballard of Hayden, was booked into the Blount County Jail at 10:22 a.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains behind bars.

Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon said they are in the process of updating those charges to include rape and kidnapping.