Two men arrested during high school football game in Millbrook
MILLBROOK, Ala. (WAKA) – Two men from Montgomery were arrested during Friday night’s football game between Prattville and Stanhope-Elmore in Millbrook.
Millbrook police were providing security for the game, which was being played at 17 Springs. They observed several people engaged in disorderly behavior, with one person having a knife. That’s when they decided to escort them out of the stadium.
Police say two people resisted their efforts to escort them to the gate. As more officers arrived to help, one person who hadn’t been involved, moved past officers and put his hands on an officer in an apparent attempt to separate the officer from the group being escorted.
Police say a brief altercation ensued, with several people resisting their efforts to escort people from the stadium, with some trying to assault the officers involved.
Police say the officers warned these people several times that they would be tased if they continued to resist. They say they tased 23-year-old Arterius Smith, who was arrested and charged with
disorderly conduct, obstruction of a governmental operation and resisting arrest.
Police say 63-year-old Anthony Smith was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction of a governmental operation and resisting arrest.
They have both been released on bond.
“Alabama is a football state,” Millbrook Police Chief PK Johnson said. “We love our football and the wonderful tradition that is high school football and Friday Night Lights. Let me be clear on this point, these games are for our students, football players, cheerleaders, band members, their parents and all of the people of our communities who love and support them.
“The men and women of the Millbrook Police Department are present to ensure a safe environment, so that all participants, as well as those in attendance, have a safe environment in which to enjoy their game day experience. We will not tolerate any behavior that detracts from these events or places those in attendance in jeopardy.
“When our officers observe people behaving in a disorderly manner, failing to comply with the rules set forth by the Elmore County Board of Education, Alabama High School Athletic Association or the 17 Springs Collaborative Partnership, or violating any state laws or municipal ordinances, our police officers will take steps necessary to escort those individuals from the stadium and remove them from the property.
“The original goal last night was to escort a few disorderly individuals from the stadium, allowing them to leave the property with no criminal charges. A few individuals chose to escalate this situation by confronting officers, interfering with their actions and physically resisting arrest, when arrests became necessary. After reviewing last night’s incident and the arrests that followed, I want to commend our officers on a job well done. It is clear to me that our officers attempted to remove several people that were engaged in inappropriate behavior from the stadium, in an effort to maintain order during a highly attended high school football game.
“Rather than taking the opportunity to leave the event without any criminal charges, several chose to escalate the situation, making their arrest the only option. While reviewing footage of the incident, I noted several citizens who joined our officers in an attempt to deescalate the situation, prior to it getting out of hand. We saw you and appreciate your efforts.
“Bottom line, we are here to support our student athletes, our schools, their students, faculty, their families, our community and those visiting our city. If you can’t follow the rules, obey the
law or refrain from disrupting what should be an enjoyable event for all participants and spectators, you’d do well to refrain from attending events in our city.”
