Sheriff Deputies Use Taser on High School Student

First Coast News
Oct. 28, 2005

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL -- An 18-year-old gets hit with a taser when sheriff deputies say, he started to fight them.

Thomas McDonald allegedly stole a pair of shoes during a field trip Wednesday.

Pedro Menendez High School principal Bob Allten says when school leaders confronted McDonald about the shoes the next day, Allten ran from school. After searching the area, school leaders called the sheriff's office.

Deputies found McDonald in a nearby swamp by a truck stop.

Officers say, at first, McDonald did what they asked him to, but then began to fight with them. That's when a deputy used a taser on him.

First Coast News talked with McDonald by phone.

He says he did not fight back and simply wanted to know why he was being arrested. He also says he did not steal any shoes.

Police say McDonald has been arrested at least three time before, once for grand theft auto.

Police say McDonald is on probation and is now in jail.

Paramedics examined McDonald and found him to be okay after the incident.