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A Granger High School sophomore is facing possible expulsion and criminal charges after wrestling with a Taser-wielding school resource officer before finally being subdued.
Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley said the incident began about 10:30 a.m. Thursday when the male student, along with several others, was discovered loitering in the gymnasium when they were supposed to be in class.
A hall monitor approached the group to give them truancy citations but then called the Granite School District police officer for help when the group "became belligerent," Horsley said.
Once the officer arrived, the 6-foot, 200-pound male student "became even more belligerent, using extremely profane language directed at the officer. The officer made multiple requests for the student to come to the office with him to continue the discussion," Horsley said.
The student refused, becoming increasingly confrontational and going "chest-to-chest" with the officer. The officer unholstered his Taser and the student backed off. Then the student once more closed in on the officer, Horsley said.
Fearing for his own safety, the officer attempted to shock the student with the Taser. Horsley said it was unclear whether the device worked, however, as the student and the officer then grappled to the floor.
During the next three minutes, the student allegedly tried repeatedly to take the Taser, but finally was subdued enough by the officer that he could call for backup. Two West Valley City police officers arrived and helped take the youth into custody.
The student was checked by paramedics and then arrested. He was booked into a juvenile detention facility pending possible criminal charges for resisting arrest and attempting to take the officer's weapon.
Horsley said the student also will face "district-level discipline" that could include an extended period of suspension or outright expulsion.
Horsley did say that after the youth was subdued and his parents arrived, the student apologized to the school resource officer, who was not injured.
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