An encounter on a school bus outside Langston Hughes High School in Fulton County, Georgia, has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of how school resource officers interact with students. Eighteen-year-old high school senior Lanier Johnson-Hunt says he was choked, slapped, and tased by a school resource officer after being asked to leave a school bus, an incident that was captured on video and quickly spread across social media platforms.
As Johnson-Hunt and his family demand accountability from Fulton County Schools, the case has raised broader questions about student discipline, use of force in school settings, and the responsibilities of law enforcement officers assigned to campuses. The incident unfolded when Johnson-Hunt boarded a school bus that services his neighborhood. According to his family and attorneys, students in the area are permitted to take either of two buses.
Despite this, Lanier Johnson-Hunt says the bus driver told him he was on the wrong bus and asked him to leave. What followed, he alleges, escalated into a violent confrontation involving a school resource officer. Fulton County Schools has since confirmed that the officer involved has been removed from active duty pending an internal investigation. Meanwhile, Johnson-Hunt faces criminal charges and a school suspension, creating a complex legal and administrative situation that continues to draw public attention.
Incident on the Bus and Viral Video
The confrontation occurred outside Langston Hughes High School, a large public high school in south Fulton County. According to Lanier Johnson-Hunt, the situation began as a routine disagreement when the bus driver asked him to get off the bus, claiming he was on the wrong route. Johnson-Hunt has maintained that he had previously ridden the bus without issue and that students in his neighborhood are allowed to use either bus serving the area.
Video footage of the incident, recorded by someone at the scene and later shared widely online, shows a tense encounter involving Lanier Johnson-Hunt and a uniformed school resource officer. While the full sequence of events remains under investigation, Johnson-Hunt alleges that the officer used excessive force during the interaction. He says he was choked and then tased, even after being handcuffed. He also claims the officer slapped him during the encounter.
At a news conference held Tuesday, Lanier Johnson-Hunt described the moments as frightening and disorienting. He said he was overwhelmed with fear and confusion as the situation spiraled beyond what he expected from a dispute over bus seating. “I really don’t remember what I was thinking,” he said. “I just know I was scared in that moment.” His attorneys later emphasized that the use of a Taser on a school bus, particularly against a student who was already restrained, raises serious concerns about proportionality and protocol.
Lanier Johnson-Hunt displayed visible burn marks on his chest during the news conference, which he said were caused by the Taser. He also alleged that he did not receive immediate medical attention following the incident, despite the visible injuries. The lack of prompt medical evaluation has become another point of contention for his family, who argue that student safety and basic care obligations were neglected in the aftermath.
Listen to Lanier Johnson-Hunt's very detailed version of what happened. Not only was his civil and constitutional rights violated, his basic human rights and dignity were disregarded.
— Global Black News Media (@BlackGlobalInfo) December 25, 2025
Black and young shouldn't automatically translate to guilt or deserving of abuse.#news #update pic.twitter.com/4gRFlUD9bb
The viral spread of the video has intensified public reaction, drawing attention from community members, civil rights advocates, and local officials. Social media users have questioned whether the officer’s actions were justified and whether the situation could have been de-escalated without physical force. Others have focused on the role of the bus driver and the initial decision to remove Johnson-Hunt from the bus, arguing that clearer communication or administrative intervention might have prevented the confrontation altogether.
Family and Attorneys Demand Accountability
Lanier Johnson-Hunt’s family has been vocal in calling for accountability from both the school district and law enforcement. His mother, Sharrita Johnson-Hunt, said she was initially given a very different account of what happened when school administrators contacted her after the incident. According to her, she was told that her son was trying to fight the police officer, was on the wrong bus, and refused to leave, leaving staff unable to remove him without police involvement.
She has since disputed that version of events, pointing to the video footage and her son’s account as evidence that the response was disproportionate. The conflicting narratives have fueled mistrust and frustration for the family, who say they are seeking transparency and answers rather than assumptions about their son’s behavior.
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One of Johnson-Hunt’s attorneys, Harry Daniels, questioned the bus driver’s actions and decision-making. He raised doubts about how the driver could claim Lanier Johnson-Hunt was on the wrong bus when students from the same neighborhood are reportedly allowed to take either route. “He was just on the bus. He rode the bus,” Daniels said. “So our question is, does this bus driver have a memory issue?” The comment underscored the defense’s argument that the initial justification for removing Johnson-Hunt from the bus may have been flawed.
Attorney Gerald Griggs echoed those concerns, describing the incident as deeply troubling. He emphasized that Lanier Johnson-Hunt was in what he believed to be the correct place at the correct time and that the situation escalated in a manner that was avoidable. Griggs has argued that the incident reflects broader systemic issues within school discipline and policing practices, particularly when it comes to how quickly law enforcement is involved in student disputes.
The legal team has also highlighted Lanier Johnson-Hunt’s age and status as a high school senior, noting that he was 18 at the time of the incident and nearing graduation. They argue that the physical and emotional impact of the encounter, combined with the resulting charges and suspension, could have long-term consequences for his education and future opportunities.
Charges, Suspension, and District Response
Following the incident, Lanier Johnson-Hunt was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and obstruction. In addition to the criminal charges, he received a 10-day suspension from school. The combination of legal and disciplinary actions has further complicated the situation, as his family and attorneys contend that the charges stem from an encounter in which he was the one subjected to force.
Fulton County Schools has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and confirmed that the school resource officer involved has been removed from active duty while the case is under investigation. A spokesperson for the district said the matter is being taken seriously and remains under review. The district has not released additional details about the officer’s conduct or the findings of any preliminary inquiries, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
School resource officers are typically assigned to campuses to enhance safety and build positive relationships with students. However, incidents like this one have prompted renewed debate about their role and training, particularly when it comes to conflict resolution and use-of-force decisions in environments populated primarily by minors. Although Johnson-Hunt is legally an adult, advocates note that high school settings require heightened sensitivity and restraint due to the presence of younger students.
The case also raises questions about accountability mechanisms within school districts when law enforcement officers are involved in student incidents. While the officer’s removal from active duty suggests the district is taking the allegations seriously, critics argue that transparency and clear communication with the public will be essential to restoring trust.
As the investigation continues, Johnson-Hunt and his family say they are focused on seeking justice and ensuring that similar incidents do not happen to other students. The outcome of the inquiry, as well as the resolution of the criminal charges, will likely influence broader conversations about school safety, student rights, and the appropriate limits of police authority in educational settings.
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