ASU cheerleader heard yelling ‘Let him go’ before a Tempe officer shoved her down on video now faces charges, as police allege she punched him

Arizona State University student Eryn Bonner is facing two misdemeanor charges following a chaotic interaction with law enforcement in Tempe. Bonner, a senior and a member of the ASU Stunt team, faces charges of disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police. A Tempe spokesperson confirmed the charges, according to the New York Post, and her attorney said she has pleaded not guilty.

The arrest took place in the early morning hours in July, when officers were arresting another individual. Bodycam footage and viral video show Eryn Bonner approaching the scene after being told to step back by police. During the encounter, she is heard shouting, “Let him go, let him go,” before a physical confrontation begins.

The video shows an officer pushing Bonner to the ground, and Tempe police have alleged that she punched an officer multiple times. The footage then shows the officer tossing her onto a bicycle and restraining her. It appears in the video that the officer strikes her before another member of the department arrives to assist with the handcuffs.

Her lawyer wants the officer fired and thinks the charges are payback

Attorney Benjamin Taylor, who represents the Bonner family, has called for the officer to be terminated. He characterized the force used as excessive, pointing to the multiple strikes. Taylor also criticized the timing, as the city filed the charges about two months after the arrest. “Two months later, to pursue these charges seems very vindictive,” Benjamin Taylor said. Taylor also raised concerns regarding the officer’s behavior at the end of the encounter.

“If you look at the end of the video, there’s some odd touching at the end of the video which is very concerning,” Benjamin Taylor said. He specifically alleged that the officer’s hand went on her buttocks. The case moved to Tempe City Court after the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to pursue the felony charges Tempe police originally filed. The Tempe Police Department has said it will not resubmit those felony charges.

The city went on to file the two misdemeanor counts that Eryn Bonner now faces. The student’s family released a statement about watching the footage. “There are no words to fully describe the heartbreak of watching our daughter being hurt by someone entrusted to protect and serve our community,” the Bonner family said. The family also said holding public servants to high standards is essential to preserving public trust.

Josh Logan, a former Chandler police officer, said the force might fall within policy if the punching claim is accurate. “If you reach that level of active aggression, you’re within policy to perform closed fist strikes to the face,” Josh Logan said. He said the touching allegation lacks context, as the officer appeared to be moving her off the bicycle. The Tempe Police Department has confirmed that an internal investigation is underway.

The department said it takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and would not comment further while the administrative review is ongoing. However, Taylor has called for an outside review of the police use of force, which the Tempe Officers Association said has no basis. Eryn Bonner is expected to return to Tempe City Court on Nov. 4, when a pretrial conference on the two misdemeanor charges is scheduled, and the department’s internal review of the arrest remains open.