Superintendent: student tasered ‘as a last resort’

Dr. Rodney Shotwell, superintendent for Rockingham County Schools, and Sheriff Samuel Page of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department, held a press conference last Tuesday to address the tasering of a McMichael High School senior.

According to a release from the sheriff’s department, Joshua O’Brien Hayes, 17, was tasered Monday, Oct. 19, when he refused to leave the classroom after becoming disruptive while watching a training film. Coach Bob Bailey and Principal Roger Whitley attempted to get Hayes to leave but he refused, prompting them to call law enforcement.

“We had a young man who wasn’t complying with directions from the staff at school, and as much as they tried to get him to comply, it did not work,” said Shotwell. “As a last resort, we had to call the sheriff’s department to come and help us out.”

Shotwell said this is the second time this year a student had been tasered in the school district. The first time involved a student at Reidsville High School; the Reidsville Police Department handled that situation.

“Procedures were followed in both situations,” Shotwell said. “We talked to the sheriff’s department and we feel confident they did everything they could and used it as a last resort.”

The release said Cpl. Frank Martin, of the sheriff’s department, was the reporting officer on scene. When Martin arrived, he asked Hayes to leave the classroom, but he began shouting profanities at the officer. As Martin began to arrest him, he became combative and resisted arrest. Hayes also called out to his teammates for them to join him as he continued to resist arrest. Martin then used his Taser against the student, who then complied with law enforcement.

“The officer deemed it necessary to stop the threat because Hayes was combative and resistant,” said Page. “He used a reasonable amount of force, which was a drive-stun, contact shock. Everybody from the principal to the coaches did their best to get him to walk away, but he wouldn’t.”

Hayes was searched due to arrest, and two baggies of marijuana were discovered on his person. He was ultimately charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, disorderly conduct, second degree trespass and resisting a public officer. He is jailed under a $21,000 secured bond.

Shotwell said it was approximately a 15-minute time frame between Hayes becoming disruptive and the sheriff’s office being called.

“My job here as school superintendent is to make sure the environment is safe for all kids,” Shotwell said. “If there’s any way that’s going to be jeopardized, we can either deal with it ourselves or if we feel like we can’t go to that level to get it taken care of, then we ask the local law enforcement to come in and take care of that for us. As soon as we call law enforcement, we are secondary in terms of what happens next. I’m not responsible for the officers.”

Shotwell was unable to comment on the future of Hayes’ football and school careers.