Arizona State cheerleader charged after confrontation with police caught on viral video

Newly released police video shows officers throwing an Arizona State University cheerleader to the ground after she allegedly interfered with an ongoing arrest in Tempe, Arizona.

ASU senior Eryn Bonner suffered bruises to her face after the July 19 incident, video of which shows one of the officers shove her to the ground and then pin her to a police bicycle before arresting her on the sidewalk.

Bonner could be heard screaming, "Let him go! Let him go!" as police arrested two men who had been accompanying her.

Bonner was charged last week with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and hindering or interfering with police. Maricopa County prosecutors declined to move forward with felony charges against her.

A police officer shoves an ASU cheerleader during an arrest. (Tempe Police Dept.)

Attorney Benjamin Taylor, who represents Bonner, accused the city of trying to punish her after the county declined the felony case.

"The Maricopa County prosecutor declined charges," Taylor said. "This is a political prosecution from the City of Tempe to back door charges to cover up for the excessive force and groping that their Tempe officer did that is clearly on the video."

Taylor also called for the arresting officer to be fired and released a statement on behalf of the Bonner family.

"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 in a statement to ABC15.

Police officers in Arizona arrest Eryn Bonner in Tempe on July 19, 2026. (Tempe Police Dept.)

"The hardest thing is seeing the pain and sadness in her eyes that we cannot take away," the statement continued. "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," the statement added.

Skyline panoramic aerial helicopter view of Tempe, Arizona. Showing ASU Arizona State University campus with Sun Devil Football Stadium (Frank Kush Field) on middle right and Wells Fargo Arena in bottom left foreground. "Tempe Town Lake" - Salt River in background.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the lead-up to the encounter, which shows Bonner and two male friends walk past a third man who had been standing on the sidewalk. One of Bonner's friends appeared to get into an argument with the third man as the second male friend attempted to hold him back from an altercation.

A trio of police officers on bicycles saw the commotion from across an intersection and intervened moments later.

Police say Bonner allegedly struck one of the officers as they were carrying out arrests of her two friends.

Fox News' Sophia Leone contributed to this report.