An Atlanta mother is demanding an apology after her 12-year-old daughter was Tased by a school resource officer.
An Atlanta Police Department school resource officer was trying to break up a fight on a school bus at Inman Middle School when authorities say he used a Taser on two students.
Shakya Howell, 12, said that an argument with a 13-year-old girl that began earlier in the day in the lunchroom escalated into a fight on the bus. She said that she didn't know that a police officer had gotten on the bus. Howell said that she didn't hear the officer saying stop before he used a Taser on her.
"I think it was wrong because he could have pulled us apart. He's bigger than us, so he could have just pulled us apart," Howell said.
Howell's mother, Sheena Lester, said that there is no justification on using a Taser on a 12-year-old.
"I don't understand how two 12-year-old kids that attend middle school in seventh grade, and a giant police officer -- three times their size -- can't break them two girls up. I just don't understand it," Lester said.
Lester said that her daughter was issued a citation after being Tased. She is charged with affray -- fighting in public.
Atlanta Police Officer John Chafee said in a statement to FOX 5, "Preliminary information gathered at the scene indicates the TASER was used in ‘drive stun' mode by making a brief, direct contact with the girls, a more localized application of the device."
Lester said she wants an apology from authorities.
"I do want an apology, and I don't want this to happen to anyone else. That's what I really want," said Lester.
The APD said that their Tasers have video and audio capabilities and they will be reviewing the evidence and interviewing witnesses to make sure that they keep in line with the policies and procedures.
FOX 5 has learned that the officer involved was a certified Taser instructor.
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Shakya Howell was Tased by an officer.
