Viral Video Shows Arizona State Student Pushed to Ground and Struck by Police During Tempe Arrest

A viral video showing an Arizona State University student being pushed to the ground, thrown onto a bicycle and struck by police during a July arrest in Tempe has sparked renewed scrutiny of the officers’ use of force.

Eryn Kelise Bonner, a 21-year-old ASU senior and member of the university’s Stunt Team, was arrested in the early hours of July 19 on Mill Avenue after approaching officers who were detaining another person. She is now facing two misdemeanor charges after prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges against her.

The confrontation, which was captured by bystander video as well as police body-camera footage, has drawn criticism from Bonner’s family and attorney, while police maintain that she repeatedly interfered with officers and struck one of them.

What Happened on Mill Avenue?

The incident unfolded at around 1:45 a.m. on July 19, when Tempe officers were responding to a disturbance on the busy Mill Avenue entertainment district.

Video shows officers attempting to detain a man when Bonner approached them. She was heard shouting, “Let him go, let him go,” before an officer ordered her to back away.

Bonner then moved toward the officers again. The footage shows an officer pushing her to the ground before the confrontation escalated.

Police allege that Bonner raised her fists and approached the officer aggressively, ultimately striking him multiple times. According to police records, she continued resisting as officers attempted to take her into custody.

The available footage shows the officer pushing Bonner onto a bicycle and restraining her. He then appears to strike her in the face before another officer helps secure her in handcuffs.

The incident quickly spread across social media, with viewers focusing on the level of force used during the encounter.

Bonner Was Left With Visible Injuries

Bonner’s family later released photographs showing swelling and bruising around her eyes, saying the arrest left her visibly injured.

Her family said they were devastated to see their daughter hurt by someone “entrusted to protect and serve our community.”

They added that expecting police officers to meet the standards of their profession was not an attack on law enforcement, but something they considered necessary to maintain public confidence in institutions.

The family also asked for prayers and support as Bonner and her relatives continued to recover from the incident.

Felony Charges Were Rejected

The case initially involved potential felony allegations. However, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to pursue felony charges against Bonner.

Tempe later moved forward with misdemeanor charges. Bonner now faces counts of disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police in Tempe City Court.

The decision to pursue the misdemeanor case has added another layer to the controversy surrounding the arrest.

Bonner’s attorney, Benjamin Taylor, has argued that the city should not continue pursuing charges after reviewing the footage of the confrontation. He has also called for the officer involved to be fired.

Attorney Accuses Officer of Excessive Force

Taylor described the encounter as extremely excessive, arguing that there was no need for the repeated pushing, the takedown onto the bicycle or the strikes seen in the video.

He also raised concerns about an apparent touching of Bonner near the end of the footage, describing the contact as inappropriate.

Taylor has maintained that Bonner was physically and emotionally affected by the arrest and has continued to criticize the police response.

The attorney’s claims remain allegations, while the Tempe Police Department’s review of the incident is still underway.

Former Officer Offers a Different View

Josh Logan, a former Chandler police officer and founder of Guardian Training and Consulting, offered a more nuanced assessment of the footage.

Logan said that if the officer’s account that Bonner repeatedly punched him is accurate, the use of closed-fist strikes could fall within police policy when responding to active aggression.

“If you reach that level of active aggression, you’re within policy to perform closed fist strikes to the face,” Logan told the outlet.

At the same time, Logan pointed to aspects of the encounter that he considered concerning.

He specifically highlighted the moment Bonner was thrown onto the bicycle, noting that bicycles contain chains, gears and other components capable of causing injuries.

Logan said the footage appears to show the officer trying to move Bonner away from the bicycle during a chaotic moment before officers continued with the arrest.

Video Has Renewed Questions About Police Conduct

The confrontation has prompted broader debate in Tempe over police use of force and de-escalation.

Two newly elected Tempe councilmembers, Bobby Nichols and Brooke St. George, previously criticized the officers’ handling of the July incident, saying the footage appeared to show disproportionate force without sufficient attempts at de-escalation.

The controversy has also become part of a wider discussion in Tempe about police oversight, transparency and the handling of force during encounters with members of the public.

Still, the competing accounts of what happened immediately before the physical confrontation remain central to the case.

Internal Investigation Is Underway

The Tempe Police Department has confirmed that an internal investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The department told ABC15 that the incident is under administrative review and that investigators will examine the video and other available evidence.

“Consistent with our policies, this incident is currently under administrative review. The video of the incident, along with all other available evidence, will be carefully evaluated as part of that process,” the department said.

Police have also said they take allegations of officer misconduct seriously.

For now, Bonner faces two misdemeanor charges, while the conduct of the officers involved remains under administrative review. The viral footage has ensured that the July confrontation continues to draw public attention as both the criminal case and the police investigation move forward.