A juvenile was arrested at a Phoenix high school dance last Saturday night after a confrontation with police officers that involved the deployment of a Taser. The incident, which occurred at Betty H. Fairfax High School near 59th Avenue and Baseline Road, was initially sparked by a 911 call. According to a FOX 10 Phoenix report, the caller stated her daughter had seen multiple male students displaying guns during the event.
Phoenix Police were quickly on the scene, where initial reports led them to two male juveniles, who they determined were not armed. Subsequently, school staff alerted officers to another juvenile, that was reported to have a gun and was threatening students, inside the dance. As per the police statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, when officers tried to detain the suspect, he allegedly became "combative and resistent," leading to an officer using a Taser in the ensuing scuffle.
The authorities found no gun after the juvenile was taken into custody; instead, a pencil wrapped in cloth and a comb were found in his pockets. According to Phoenix Police, the juvenile is facing potential charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. There were no shots fired during the incident, and the Phoenix Union High School District has since clarified there was no ongoing threat to student safety.
The district has moved to reassure the community, stating "There is no imminent threat to our school or to anyone’s safety," and they have planned a meeting for parents to address the incident later this week, as reported by 12 News. During the altercation, one officer was injured but did not require hospitalization.
