Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
RIVERTON — A man allegedly hit a school resource officer in the face with a board at South Hills Middle School on Monday afternoon, seriously injuring the officer, according to an arrest report.
Kalen Cook, 21, of Bluffdale, was booked Monday afternoon into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records.
About 1:35 p.m., the school resource officer approached Cook, who wasn't supposed to be on the property at 13508 S. 4000 West, according to Unified Police Sgt. Melody Gray. He was told to leave the property but refused, the arrest report states.
A Unified police officer then arrived at the scene, Gray said. While the two officers were talking with Cook in the school parking lot, he picked up a large piece of wood and hit the school resource officer in the face, according to the report.
He then tried to get into a vehicle nearby and started fighting with the officer, the arrest report states.
During the struggle, Cook allegedly injured the Unified officer on the hands, according to the report.
The officers then told Cook to take his hands out of his pockets or a Taser would be used on him, but he refused, the report states.
The officers used a Taser on Cook multiple times, and were eventually able to get him to the ground and get his hands out of his pockets, according to the report.
The officers found a medium-sized knife in Cook’s pockets, as well as marijuana and some drug paraphernalia, the report states.
The school's principal was watching the incident from outside and used the school resource officer's radio to call for help, Gray said.
The school resource officer had injuries to his face, head and body, according to the arrest report.
No students or staff were involved in the altercation, according to Jordan School District spokeswoman Sandy Riesgraf.
Officers from the Unified, South Jordan and Herriman police departments also responded to the scene, Gray said.
Most recent Utah stories
Related topics
Jacob Klopfenstein
