POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. – A school resource officer used a Taser to subdue an 8th grade student at Powhatan Junior High School on Friday. The student was charged with felony assault on an officer as a result of the incident.
The Powhatan Sheriff’s Department said it all started with the student being disruptive in the cafeteria. The situation then moved to an assistant principal’s office, where the student continued to be disruptive. Then the SRO got involved.
The Sheriff’s Department said the SRO tried to arrest the student, but he attacked the officer and then tried to flee. The officer then used the Taser on him.
“It’s obviously scary to see a child get Tased,” Chris Parks, whose children go to the school, said. "It was a little shocking [to learn."
The Tased student was taken to the hospital where he was checked out and eventually cleared. He was later charged with felony assault on an officer, and two misdemeanors. Parks said he hoped the charges and officer' actions were justified.
“I can’t see them making a decision that would be so egregious to where it doesn’t make sense,” Parks explained.
The School Resource Officer who used the Taser, is a 27-year veteran of the force, according to the Powhatan Sheriff's Office.
