High school walkout in Chandler disrupted by armed man, SUV pushing through crowd

PHOENIX — Students demonstrating during a planned walkout faced a tense situation along with a police response at Hamilton High School in Chandler on Friday.

During the students’ march, which was one of many across the Valley in protest of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown, a masked man armed with a handgun showed up, according to Chandler Police Department spokesman Ryan Cody.

Cody said that although the masked man committed no crimes, his presence and multiple interactions with students created a tense situation. A female student who was seen throwing a water bottle at the masked man was arrested for assault and disorderly conduct.

Police had already requested the man leave the area, and he eventually did with a police escort.

Later during the demonstration, an unidentified white SUV approached an intersection blocked by a crowd of people who were crossing. Police said the driver “pushed their way through the crowd and drove away.”

Police did not report any injuries to students.

An officer then parked their motorcycle in front of the intersection to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.

Chandler detectives are working to identify the vehicle and the police department asks that anyone with additional details about it call its nonemergency line at 480-782-4130.

“The Chandler Police Department respects the rights of all individuals to peacefully assemble. However, driving recklessly and throwing objects will not be tolerated, as these actions endanger the community and officers,” the department said in a statement.

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