When Rader turned away from the officer to talk to a girl behind him, the officer accused Rader of pushing him, Kidd said. Kidd said Rader never touched the officer. Shortly afterward, Kidd said the officer maced Rader.
Kidd said the Phenix City officer led Rader out of the arena and into a parking lot full of several other patrol cars. After detaining Rader for 45 minutes, Kidd said the officer released Rader to Prattville High authorities.
In a video provided to the Ledger-Enquirer by Kidd, the officer can be seen standing near the railing to the right of the screen wearing a cap similar to a ski mask. At the 37-second mark, the officer can be seen shoving Radar through the crowd and against the railing. He then sprays a substance in the student’s eyes before leading him out of the stands.
The head covering worn by the officer covers everything but the officer’s eyes.
The law enforcement official appears to be shouting in the video. Several students can be heard screaming after the officer sprays the substance.
The Phenix City Police Department in a news release confirmed an incident occurred between a 17-year-old Prattville student and an officer.
Police would not release the identity of the officer accused in the case, whether any disciplinary action has been taken or whether the officer is still on active duty.
Kidd said he learned about the event after his brother-in-law, who serves as an Autauga County commissioner, went to the game and witnessed the alleged assault. He approached Radar’s family Tuesday after Radar asked him to assist in the case.
Several witnesses at the event told Kidd and Teague that Rader did nothing to threaten the officer or provoke unnecessary force, Kidd said. If the ABI chooses to investigate the case, Kidd said he believes the officer could receive a felony charge for unnecessary use of a weapon and unlawful arrest.