Alabama Band Director Tased and Arrested After Refusing to Stop Performance, Police Say
An Alabama band director was tased and arrested after refusing to stop the band’s performance after a high school football game, according to the Birmingham Police Department. The incident occurred on Thursday following a game between Minor High School and PD Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham.
When the game ended, Birmingham police officers began clearing out the stadium and noticed that both schools’ bands were still performing. Officers spoke with both band directors and asked them to stop playing music so that the attendees could leave the stadium. The home team band complied with the request, but Minor’s band director, Johnny Mims, instructed his band to continue performing.
BPD officers attempted to take Mims into custody for disorderly conduct, but a physical altercation ensued between Mims, Birmingham City Schools System personnel, and the officers. Mims was tased by police when he resisted arrest and allegedly pushed an officer. The arresting officer used a Taser to subdue Mims and end the physical confrontation.
A video of the incident surfaced online, showing Mims being tased by the officer. Onlookers can be seen screaming as Mims falls to the ground. Another video shows Mims and the officers tussling, but it is unclear if this occurred before or after Mims was tased.
Mims’ attorney and state representative, Juandalynn Givan, called the incident an “alarming abuse of power and a clear violation of our client’s civil rights.” Givan plans to pursue legal action against the police department.
After being treated at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue, Mims was transported to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. Once released, he was taken to the Birmingham City Jail, where he was booked and later bonded out. The Birmingham Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate the use of force by the arresting officer.
Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin released a statement expressing awareness of the incident and the need to gather all the facts before commenting further. Mims joined the Minor High School band in 2018 and has a master’s degree in music education from Florida State University.
The incident has sparked outrage among students, parents, and the community. Many believe that tasing a well-respected band director in front of students and parents is excessive. CNN has reached out to the Jefferson County School District for comment.