Eryn Bonner, a 21-year-old Arizona State University senior and member of the school’s stunt team, has been charged with two misdemeanors — disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police — following a July 19, 2026, confrontation with Tempe police on Mill Avenue that was captured on viral video. Tempe police initially recommended felony charges, which the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to pursue. Bonner’s attorney argues officers used excessive force; police say an internal review is underway. Bonner is presumed innocent on the misdemeanor charges unless and until proven guilty in court.
Two months after a bystander’s video turned a late-night confrontation outside a Tempe bar into a national conversation about police use of force, the Arizona State student at the center of it is now facing formal charges — just not the ones officers originally sought.
What the Video Shows
According to Tempe police, officers were arresting other individuals outside the bar C.A.S.A. on Mill Avenue early on July 19 when Bonner moved back toward the scene after being told to stay away. Bystander video and police body-camera footage show her approaching officers and repeatedly demanding they “let him go, let him go” as the arrest continued.
When Bonner did not comply with commands to step back, an officer pushed her to the ground. She was later restrained on top of a police bicycle. Police allege Bonner punched an officer multiple times in the face during the struggle; the officer then struck her in the face. Bonner sustained visible injuries, including black eyes and bruising.
Arizona State cheerleader hit with two misdemeanor charges after allegedly interfering with an arrest. ASU senior Eryn Bonner was thrown to the ground after demanding that officers "let go" of someone they were trying to arrest. Bonner now faces charges of disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police. Tempe police accuse Bonner of punching an officer multiple times.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 5, 2026
From Felonies to Misdemeanors
Tempe police initially recommended felony charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office declined to pursue those charges, and police confirmed they would not resubmit them. The case was instead referred to Tempe City Court, where two misdemeanor charges — disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police — were filed in late September.
As with any criminal charge, these remain allegations, and Bonner is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Bonner remains enrolled as an ASU student, and the case is ongoing.
The Family and Attorney’s Response
Bonner’s attorney, Benjamin Taylor, has been sharply critical of the decision to pursue any charges against her, calling it a political move and accusing the city of “victimizing the victim.”
“This was very extreme, very excessive and there was no need for double pushes, jumping on top and multiple strikes,” Taylor said. He has also called for the involved officer to be fired, and raised a separate, more serious allegation about the officer’s conduct during the arrest.
“If you look at the end of the video, there’s some odd touching at the end of the video which is very concerning,” Taylor said. “At the end you see his hand go on her buttocks which is very odd in this situation.” This allegation has not been independently confirmed or addressed by Tempe police in public statements.
Bonner’s family released a statement describing the emotional toll of watching the video play out.
“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 family said. “The hardest thing is seeing the pain and sadness in her eyes that we cannot take away. Expecting public servants to live up to the highest standards of their profession is not an act of animosity toward those who serve with honor. Rather, it is essential to preserving public trust and upholding the integrity and legitimacy of our institutions. We respectfully ask for your prayers and support as our daughter and our family continue to heal.”
A Different Read From a Use-of-Force Expert
Not everyone who has reviewed the footage sees it the same way. Josh Logan, a former Chandler police officer and founder of Guardian Training and Consulting, said that if the officer’s account of being punched is accurate, the response was likely within department policy.
“If you reach that level of active aggression, you’re within policy to perform closed fist strikes to the face,” Logan said.
Even so, Logan flagged specific moments in the video as concerning, particularly when Bonner was thrown onto a police bicycle during the struggle.
“There’s so many dangerous things on that bicycle that can cut and scrape. I have scars from cogwheels to chains and everything in between,” Logan said. “It appears that she’s trying to move her off the bike and that happens in a split second in a very chaotic scene, and then they take her into custody and go from there.”
Internal Review Underway
Tempe police confirmed that an internal, administrative review of the incident is underway.
“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 in a statement, adding that it takes “every allegation of officer misconduct seriously.”
