Band director who refused to stop music at Alabama high school football game arrested

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — An Alabama high school band director was arrested after refusing to stop his band from performing after a football game in Birmingham Thursday night.

The incident took place after a Minor High School victory at PD Jackson-Olin High School. According to the Birmingham Police Department, officers began evacuating the stadium after the game ended and noticed bands from both schools were still playing.

Officers spoke with the band directors of both schools and asked them to stop playing music so attendees could leave the stadium. Police say the local band stopped, but Minor’s band director asked his band to continue playing.

Police officers accompanied by school security officers went to arrest him for disorderly conduct, but he fought with them, Fitzgerald said. He said the band director refused to put his hands behind his back and shoved an officer. One of the police officers shocked the band director with a stun gun.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel treated the band director at the scene and transported him to UAB Hospital. After his release, officers transported the group director to Birmingham City Jail where he was booked and released.

Officers obtained arrest warrants for disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest for the group’s director, who was not named in the release.

Due to an officer’s use of force during this arrest, the BPD Internal Affairs Division is investigating this incident.

“We are aware of the incident that occurred after the Minor and Jackson-Olin football game,” Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin wrote in a statement. “I am in the process of gathering all the facts and believe it would be inappropriate to comment further until this process is complete. I urge everyone not to jump to conclusions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.