AlabamaGeneral NewsMusicMusic videosTrending NewsU.S. News Body Camera Footage Captures Arrest of High School Band Director After Refusing to Cease Music by Michael Nguyen September 20, 2023 written by Michael Nguyen September 20, 2023 10 comments Bookmark 58 Table of Contents Body Camera Footage Captures Arrest of High School Band Director After Refusing to Cease MusicRelated StoriesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about High School Band Director ArrestedWhat incident does the body camera footage show?Who is representing the band director?What is the Birmingham Police Department’s stance on the incident?What charges has the band director been slapped with?What action is the city taking in relation to public safety?Were there any witnesses to the incident?How long did the band continue playing after the police approached?What was the band director’s reaction when warned of arrest?What did the police say led to the use of the stun gun?Has there been any official meeting following the incident?More about High School Band Director Arrested Body Camera Footage Captures Arrest of High School Band Director After Refusing to Cease Music Footage from a police body camera reveals that a band director from an Alabama high school was arrested using a stun gun, in the presence of alarmed students, following a heated exchange that ensued when he declined to stop the musical performance in the bleachers after a football game. State Representative Juandalynn Givan, serving as legal counsel for band director Johnny Mims, commented on Tuesday, stating that the occurrence represents a “disturbing misuse of authority,” and argued that the situation “should have been deescalated.” The Birmingham Police Department has indicated that an investigation is ongoing, but mentioned that Mims resisted arrest and is alleged to have pushed a police officer. The dispute took place last Thursday following a football match between Minor and Jackson-Olin high schools. Related Stories Federal Prosecutor Offers Justice Department Identification in DUI Incident: Body Camera Footage Reveals The Decade-Long Implementation of Police Body Cameras: An Evaluation Federal Jury Acquits Louisiana Officer Filmed Assaulting Black Motorist In the police-released body camera video from Monday night, officers are observed approaching Mims, the band director at Minor High School, while the band is performing in the bleachers. Mims is requested multiple times to halt the music and evacuate the stadium, to which he responds, “Get out of my face.” “We’re about to leave. This is their final song,” Mims continues. Subsequently, one officer informs Mims that he will be arrested, while another states her intention to notify the school. Mims responds by showing both thumbs up and stating, “That’s fine.” “Place him under arrest,” commands an officer later in the footage. The video documents that the band proceeded to play for approximately two minutes subsequent to the officers’ initial approach to Mims. Following the conclusion of the music, officers are captured on camera seemingly attempting to detain Mims among a throng of people. One officer alleges that Mims attempted to strike him and thus needs to be taken into custody; Mims refutes the claim. An officer subsequently deploys a stun gun on Mims. Students, numbering over 140 according to Givan, are audibly distressed as the arrest unfolds. A statement released by the police on Friday specifies that Mims resisted placing his hands behind his back, and that he allegedly pushed an arresting officer, which prompted the use of the stun gun. Givan emphasized on Tuesday that she will not discuss “whether my client was correct or incorrect,” but maintained that law enforcement “should never have brandished their Taser.” Givan, an alumnus of Minor High School, remarked that despite Birmingham’s elevated homicide rates, “law enforcement officers were at a mere children’s game, employing excessive force and mistreating my client in front of minors.” Officer Truman Fitzgerald, serving as the department’s spokesperson, announced that Mims faces charges of disorderly conduct, physical harassment, and resisting arrest. A meeting has occurred between the police chief, the mayor, and the superintendents of both school districts, according to Fitzgerald. Additionally, Birmingham’s Mayor Randall L. Woodfin unveiled plans for a civilian-led Public Safety Advisory Committee on Tuesday. However, his office clarified that the committee’s formation had been in the works for some time and is not a direct response to the recent incident at the football game. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about High School Band Director Arrested What incident does the body camera footage show? The body camera footage reveals that Johnny Mims, a high school band director in Alabama, was arrested using a stun gun by the police in the presence of alarmed students. The arrest occurred after he refused to cease the band’s musical performance in the bleachers following a football game between Minor and Jackson-Olin high schools. Who is representing the band director? State Representative Juandalynn Givan is serving as the legal counsel for Johnny Mims, the band director. She describes the incident as a “disturbing misuse of authority” and believes that the situation should have been deescalated. What is the Birmingham Police Department’s stance on the incident? The Birmingham Police Department states that the incident remains under investigation. They have indicated that Johnny Mims resisted arrest and is alleged to have pushed a police officer during the altercation. What charges has the band director been slapped with? Johnny Mims faces charges of disorderly conduct, physical harassment, and resisting arrest, according to Officer Truman Fitzgerald, the spokesperson for the Birmingham Police Department. What action is the city taking in relation to public safety? Birmingham’s Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announced the formation of a civilian-led Public Safety Advisory Committee. However, his office clarified that this committee has been in development for some time and is not a direct response to the incident involving Johnny Mims at the football game. Were there any witnesses to the incident? Yes, according to State Representative Juandalynn Givan, who serves as Johnny Mims’ attorney, more than 140 students were present during the incident and were audibly distressed as the arrest unfolded. How long did the band continue playing after the police approached? The body camera footage shows that the band played for approximately two minutes after officers initially approached Johnny Mims and asked him to cease the musical performance. What was the band director’s reaction when warned of arrest? When warned of the impending arrest, Johnny Mims responded by showing both thumbs up and stating, “That’s fine.” What did the police say led to the use of the stun gun? The police released a statement indicating that Johnny Mims resisted placing his hands behind his back and allegedly pushed an arresting officer, which led to the deployment of the stun gun. Has there been any official meeting following the incident? Yes, a meeting has occurred between the police chief, the mayor, and the superintendents of both involved school districts, as confirmed by Officer Truman Fitzgerald, the department’s spokesperson. More about High School Band Director Arrested Birmingham Police Department Statement on the Incident Footage of High School Band Director’s Arrest Official Announcement of the Public Safety Advisory Committee Statement from State Representative Juandalynn Givan Charges Filed Against Johnny Mims Profile of Officer Truman Fitzgerald Overview of Birmingham’s Homicide Rates Legal Background on the Use of Stun Guns by Law Enforcement Brief on Minor and Jackson-Olin High Schools City Mayor Randall L. 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He has a particular interest in football and basketball, and he enjoys analyzing game strategies and player performance. previous post Attorney General Garland to Confront GOP Skeptics Amid Intense Justice Department Scrutiny next post Airbnb Intensifies Efforts to Eliminate Counterfeit Listings, Erasing 59,000 This Year You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 10 comments JohnDoe123 September 20, 2023 - 2:42 pm Wow, can’t believe this happened at a high school football game. Seems like a massive overreaction to me. Where are our priorities? Reply Mike_in_Birmingham September 20, 2023 - 5:17 pm i went to minor high and never saw anything like this. Things are really changing, and not for the better. Reply CivicDuty September 20, 2023 - 5:41 pm Makes you wonder about the other instances where there are no cameras. Transparency is key, and this new Advisory Committee better take that into account. Reply SarahL September 20, 2023 - 7:42 pm This is crazy! Using a stun gun for not stopping music? thats a new low. What’s next? Reply MusicFan101 September 21, 2023 - 3:44 am I can understand the police wanting to maintain order but this is a high school band we’re talking about. Couldn’t this have been handled differently? Reply LegalEagle September 21, 2023 - 5:59 am Very concerned about how this sets a precedent for future law enforcement actions. They shouldnt be this trigger-happy with tasers, period. Reply Educator_Mary September 21, 2023 - 7:26 am This is an educational setting. There has to be a better way to resolve conflicts without turning to such aggressive tactics. Reply PuzzledCitizen September 21, 2023 - 7:46 am Why were the police even there in the first place? High homicide rates in the city and they’re at a kids’ football game? smh Reply ConcernedParent September 21, 2023 - 9:23 am This is deeply troubling. Our kids are there to learn and enjoy extracurriculars, not witness an arrest in the bleachers. Where does it end? Reply FinanceGuru September 21, 2023 - 11:40 am The fact that the mayor announced a Public Safety Advisory Committee right after this incident, but says it’s not related? Yeah, sure. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
