City officials confirmed this morning that a Desert Sunrise High School student was arrested for assaulting a substitute teacher. The teacher sustained minor injuries.  

The dispute started during fourth period, which is between 10 and 11 a.m. According to witnesses, the violence stemmed from the teacher confiscating the student’s cell phone and an attempt to get it back.

“The kid threw [the teacher] into the wall,” said a student who was in the classroom during the assault. “There’s like, a dent, and it was all bloody.”

According to police spokesperson Monica Williams, the teacher had minor cuts and bruises on his arm. The teacher was evaluated by a school nurse but turned down further medical treatment.

An onsite school resource officer responded and called for backup. Maricopa Police Department arrested the juvenile, and he was booked into the Pinal County Juvenile Detention Center in Florence. He is charged with aggravated assault and disruption charges. 

“Student discipline is confidential, but the situation was addressed promptly and according to district policy,” said Maricopa Unified School District spokesperson Mishell Terry.

If convicted, the student faces a prison sentence up to 12 years and $150,000 in fines.