Tempe police review use of force against ASU student Eryn Bonner

Tempe reviews viral arrest of cheerleader Eryn Bonner

On July 19, a video recorded in Tempe, Arizona, showed Eryn Bonner, a senior at Arizona State University (ASU) and member of the Stunt team, being pushed to the ground, pinned against a bicycle, and apparently struck by police officers. Authorities claim Bonner ignored orders to step back, interfered with the arrest of another individual, and allegedly struck an officer several times. Prosecutors ruled out serious charges, but the young woman faces two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct and obstructing or interfering with a police officer. Her family and lawyer have condemned the use of force, while the Tempe Police Department maintains an open administrative review regarding the officers' conduct.

Details of the July 19 incident in Tempe

The sequence that sparked controversy occurred during a police intervention while officers were attempting to arrest another person. According to the official version, Bonner approached the active perimeter, failed to comply with orders to retreat, and at one point allegedly struck an officer up to three times. The student, who is in her final year at ASU and competes on the Stunt team, was tackled to the ground over a bicycle, an image that went viral within hours.

The Tempe Police Department issued a statement announcing an administrative review to determine whether the officers' actions complied with protocols, institutional training, and departmental values. As part of this transparency process, the department released additional material: security camera footage preceding the arrest and body camera recordings from the involved officers. Rather than closing the case, the release of these videos has fueled the debate over the use of force during misdemeanor arrests.

Misdemeanor charges and administrative review: current status of the case

Bonner is not facing serious charges. Prosecutors ruled out that route, but the young woman will have to answer for two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct—stemming from her presence at the arrest scene—and interference with police duties—due to approaching the active intervention perimeter. Bonner's family and lawyer have condemned the use of force during the arrest, while the internal investigation continues.

The legal crux lies in whether the police response was proportionate. The official version insists that Bonner struck an officer; the defense maintains that the takedown was excessive for a misdemeanor. The administrative review is not a incivil proceeding: it seeks to determine if the officer trinc protocol. The department has released additional material but has not announced sanctions or conclusions. The case remains open.

Why the Arizona video has gone viral

The video's virality is not explained solely by the violence of the images. Bonner is a college athlete with a certain public profile, and the contrast between her status as a student and the brutality of the takedown—on the ground, over a bicycle—generated a wave of reactions. The additional material released by the police, rather than calming tensions, has allowed each side to highlight the fragments that favor their position.

The case has become a new episode in the debate over the use of force in the United States, an issue that resurfaces whenever a video shows a controversial arrest. The administrative review is ongoing, and there is no set date for its conclusions. Meanwhile, Bonner's family maintains its condemnation of the arrest, and the misdemeanor charges proceed through the legal system.