SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — A Fulton County Schools police officer is under investigation after using a Taser on a student during a confrontation aboard a Langston Hughes High School bus, an incident that has sparked concern among parents and community members.
The incident took place Thursday afternoon and was captured in a video that has since spread online. The footage shows two school police officers approaching a student they say was riding the wrong bus. Officers repeatedly instruct the student to leave the bus, but the student remains seated. At one point, an officer issues a warning that suggests force may be used if the student does not comply.
As the encounter escalates, the officers attempt to physically remove the student. The student resists, and moments later one officer appears to pin the student down. Shortly after, a Taser is deployed. The student’s screams can be heard in the video.
Fulton County Schools confirmed that a school police officer used a Taser during the encounter and said the officer has been removed from active duty while an internal investigation is conducted. The district has not explained why the situation escalated to the use of an electronic control weapon, citing student privacy and the ongoing review.
In a statement, the district said it is committed to school safety and reviewing incidents involving school police. However, officials have declined to provide details about what led up to the Taser use or whether alternative de-escalation measures were attempted.
Parents at Langston Hughes High School were notified through a letter from the school’s principal, who described the incident as isolated. The letter also discouraged families from sharing the video online, warning that it could violate student privacy and contribute to misinformation. Critics say the video has raised important questions that remain unanswered due to the district’s limited public response.
It is unclear whether the student suffered injuries, and the identity of the officer involved has not been released.
The incident has drawn criticism from parents who are troubled by the use of a Taser on a student during what began as a bus-related issue.
Damion Dunn, a parent of a former Langston Hughes High School student, said he is withholding judgment but wants transparency.
“Was that level of force really necessary?” Dunn said. “As a parent, I don’t want my child being tased at school.”
https://twitter.com/streetaddictz/status/2002035498236490064