JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 15-year-old Landmark Middle School student was recently arrested after investigators said he beat up a police officer just steps away from the school.
Tyrel Washington is charged with a third-degree felony and could face jail time if he is convicted.
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The incident began when an officer stopped three teens who were walking near the middle school, according to investigators.
"I've never seen anything like it -- somebody actually swinging at a cop. It was shocking," said witness Steve Thompson.
Thompson, whose son also attends Landmark Middle, said he saw the entire attack.
"All of a sudden, he tried to run, and then she grabbed him, and then he swung at her," Thompson said.
He said that's when the 45-year-old female officer fell down.
According to a police report, Washington punched the woman on the left side of her face and on the left side of her mouth several times with a closed fist.
The report also states at one point the officer though she was going to lose consciousness.
"He could have got away. She was already on her back, and he came back and he just started swinging and swinging," Thompson said.
According to police, before Washington started throwing punches, he had tried to intimidate the officer by hitting his hand with his fist and looked at her and said, "I am not afraid of police officers."
"It's clearly not the actions we want to see on the street, particularly from a 15-year-old child who is acting in this manner," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson.
Washington was arrested. Although he is a juvenile, his name was released because he is charged with a felony.
The officer attacked was taken to an area hospital and is expected to be OK.