ASU Cheerleader Arrested After Interfering With Police
Arizona State cheerleader Eryn Bonner arrested after confronting officers during an arrest outside a Tempe bar.
2 min read
Video footage of an Arizona State University (ASU) cheerleader being arrested for interfering with a police arrest has gone viral, sparking public debate over the use of force by law enforcement. The incident occurred in July outside a bar in Tempe, Arizona, and was recently made public by the Tempe Police Department.
Arrest Details and Charges
The video shows a street altercation between several individuals, with police officers quickly intervening to subdue a suspect. ASU senior Eryn Bonner was seen stepping in to stop the officers from cuffing the suspect, yelling, “let him go,” and attempting to interpose herself among the officers.
Initially, Bonner was pushed away, but she jumped back up and launched herself at the officers a second time. An officer then threw her to the ground and began cuffing her. Police stated that Bonner leaped among the officers, physically punching and kicking them as they worked to subdue the suspect. As a result, she was charged with assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of a police officer.
Legal Proceedings and Family Response
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to file felony charges, though the department suggested they might be considered. At least one charge was dropped, but the county attorney explained that it was done to refile the charges with others after reviewing the evidence.
Bonner’s family is preparing a lawsuit, alleging that the officer who arrested her should be fired. Family attorney Benjamin Taylor criticized the use of force, stating, “This was very extreme, very excessive, and there was no need for double pushes, jumping on top, and multiple strikes.” The family also issued a statement expressing their heartbreak over the incident and calling for public support.
Police and Department Response
Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy defended the arrest, stating that the video shows Bonner assaulted police and tried to interfere with an arrest. He emphasized the importance of body cameras in capturing the full incident and noted that the department is still reviewing the case under its standards of conduct.
Despite the chief’s comments, the department has not yet made a final determination on the incident, and the case remains under investigation.
Source: Breitbart
