An Arizona mother allegedly jumped on her child’s school bus and pummeled the driver in a caught-on video attack that caused the victim’s pacemaker to shock her, police said Wednesday.
Hermenegilda Marquez, 27, is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault on a school employee for the alleged attack in front of at least 11 school children in Mesa last Thursday, Arizona Family reports.
It left the 64-year-old driver “visibly upset and crying,” as officers who responded to the scene noticed a red mark under her eye, according to court documents obtained by the local news station.
She then told police at the scene she was a substitute bus driver who does not normally drive the route.
The victim said that as soon as she pulled up to one of the bus stops near the intersection of McKellips Road and Country Club Drive shortly after 2 p.m., Marquez approached the door and began yelling at her — accusing the driver of saying things about her daughter.
The driver said she didn’t even know Marquez or her daughter, and reportedly told the suspect she hadn’t said anything to anyone.
That’s when she said Marquez attacked, the court documents said.
Detectives then reviewed surveillance footage, which showed Marquez getting on the bus and yelling and cursing at the driver, according to the court documents.
The suspect is then reportedly seen looking at the children on the bus and asking for her daughter, before yelling at the driver again.
At that point, the victim asked Marquez to get off the bus and picked up a radio headset.
But Marquez then took a swing at the driver and grabbed the radio cord, Arizona Family reports.
She proceeded to get off the bus, but came back just a few moments later and pushed the bus driver — who was still buckled into her seat — saying, “You talking s–t to my daughter.”
Marquez then began slapping the driver repeatedly in the head and fist, then started pummeling her with closed fists, police claim.
Soon, Marquez’s boyfriend was seen in the video boarding the bus, grabbing Marquez and dragging her away, the court documents state.
But Marquez grabbed onto the driver’s hair with both hands and tried to pull her out of the seat.
Fortunately, the victim’s seat belt prevented her from being dragged away, according to KTAR.
She then used a radio to call for help, as Marquez drove away.
After the attack, the victim said her pacemaker started to shock her and she required medical attention for various injuries.
Marquez was arrested on Wednesday and when she was asked if she knew why she was being taken into custody, “she immediately invoked her right to counsel,” Fox 10 reports.
Detectives then showed her the surveillance footage of the attack and told her she would be charged with a felony, but “showed no emotion.”
Marquez was already on unsupervised probation for a domestic violence assault conviction, and was taking classes and paying fines, Arizona Family reports.
In a letter to families on Thursday, Mesa School District officials said they “understand this is very unsettling.
“Safety is our top priority at Mesa Public Schools and we trust Mesa Police to come to a resolution,” they said as the assault remains under investigation, according to 12 News.
“We all own the responsibility for keeping our campuses, buses and all district properties safe,” the officials continued.
“Together, we can ignite a culture of learning and well-being for every student.”
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