VIDEO: Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies punch man in East Los Angeles

EAST LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A video showing Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies hitting a man is going viral.

The video captures three deputies taking a man down, then one starts hitting him with a baton as the others punch him.

The incident happened in East Los Angeles on Sunday night, sheriff's officials said.

The witness who posted this video said the man did not have a weapon and that officers threw about 15 punches.

"The Department was aware of the incident prior to the '15 second' video being uploaded to social media. It's important to look at the totality of the situation beyond the 15 second video clip," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. "We launched a standard use of force investigation at the time of the incident and the investigation is still on-going. The video will be part of the evidence that is included in the investigation. The Sheriff's Department takes all force by personnel very seriously and will take appropriate action."