The band director of an Alabama high school was tased and arrested by Birmingham police when authorities say he would not order his band to stop playing.
Al.com reports that the incident happened Thursday night following a football game between Jackson-Olin High School and Minor High School, which was played at Jackson-Olin in Birmingham.
Johnny Mims, band director at Minor High in Adamsville, Alabama, was arrested, Jefferson County district officials said.
“We are aware of the incident that occurred after the Minor and Jackson-Olin football game,’' Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin said in a prepared statement. “I am in the process of gathering all the facts and feel it would be inappropriate to comment further until that process is complete. I urge everyone not to jump to conclusions.”
Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald released this account of the skirmish:
After the football game ended, Birmingham officers were clearing out the stadium, and bands from each high school were still performing.
Officers asked the bands to stop playing so people would leave the stadium more quickly. Jackson-Olin’s band stopped, but Mims had the Minor High School band continue to play. Officers tried to take Mims into custody for disorderly conduct when a fight broke out.
Police say Mims refused to place his hands behind his back; An officer alleges Mims pushed him during the arrest; the officer then subdued Mims with a Taser.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service treated Mims at the stadium.
Mims faces charges of disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest.
