A 17-year-old, Joseph Lopez, has been charged as an adult for throwing a firework at Glendale Police officers during a protest in February.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, hundreds of people were protesting at 67th Avenue and Camelback Road when police declared an unlawful assembly due to increasingly aggressive behavior. As police tried to disperse the crowd, Lopez allegedly lit a firework and threw it into a group of officers. The explosion caused injuries ranging from burns to hearing damage.
Lopez was indicted on 22 counts of Aggravated Assault, a Class Two Felony Dangerous; one count for each officer who was hurt.
“When an officer is assaulted, it’s not just an attack on them, it’s an attack on the safety of our communities,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “I will not tolerate anyone treating law enforcement as targets or endangering their lives.”
A judge ordered Lopez be held on a $100,000 secured bond, meaning that for the defendant to be released they must pay the court an amount equal to 10% of the full bond.
Shouldn’t be let go at all. Lopez will just bolt to the southern border.
Nice way to throw your life away s-head.
22ea. LEOs were ‘hurt’ by a ‘firecracker’? Seriously? Was this the kind that shoots up 300′ and makes a 50′ blossom, or was it a ladyfinger? Hyperbole is accusations make me think it was the latter and they are unjustly trying to pressure the boy into a life-ruining plea deal. I’m neither Back-the-Blue nor Defund-the-Police; I’m justice-over-jingoism. If that firecracker went off near someone’s face/head, that’s 1, maybe 5 counts with a lucky shot; but 22? That’s not a firecracker, that’s an M67; prove that in court.
don’t like the consequence – DON’T LITE THE FUSE… 17 yo mistakes.. ugh
I think these charges are as much ‘charges’ as they are a “LESSON” to all the other 17 year olds – DON’T DO NOTH’N STUPID! will he get off.. I’m sure – not FREE – but a LESSON to ONE and ALL. Happens again – this is the consequence ‘every time’ but that slows the explosive utilization down
Fool Around and Find Out. Mayhem is not Justice, jail is. Hope this misguided young man finds his way back.