PHOENIX — A 17-year-old has been charged as an adult after allegedly throwing a lit firework at Glendale police officers during a large protest in February, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Joseph Lopez is accused of lighting the firework and tossing it toward a group of officers, causing burns and hearing damage. Prosecutors said he faces 22 counts of aggravated assault, with one count for each officer allegedly harmed.
The incident took place during a protest against federal immigration policies near 67th Avenue and Camelback Roadin the West Valley, where around 1,000 people gathered. Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly late in the evening due to escalating tensions and later used chemical agents to disperse the crowd.
“When an officer is assaulted, it’s not just an attack on them — it’s an attack on the safety of our communities,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “We will not tolerate anyone targeting law enforcement or putting their lives at risk.”
Lopez is currently being held on a $100,000 secured bond as the case moves forward.
