Colorado police are defending their decision to pepper spray a crazed 8-year-old after the boy threw a violent tantrum in his classroom and threatened people with a sharp weapon.
The boy, identified only as Aiden, had been threatening, spitting and cursing at teachers in his second grade classroom in Lakewood, Colo., on Feb. 22 when schools officials called the cops.
When police arrived, the pint-sized perp was wielding a sharp piece of wood trim he had torn off the wall and was trying to stab teachers with it, cops said.
"I wanted to make something sharp if they came out because I was so mad at them," the boy later told Colorado's KUSA television. "I was going to try to whack them with it."
Cops ordered the boy to drop the stick, but the boy refused, shouting, "Get away from me you f---ers!" police said.
Officer then sprayed the boy with two doses of pepper spray and handcuffed him.
Aiden's mom, identified as Mandy, said that the boy had anger issues and that it was the third time teachers had called the cops after one of his tantrums.
Police spokesman Steve Davis defended the police.
"Our officers had to do something to diffuse the situation in a hurry before someone got hurt," Davis told KUSA.
"I think the officers made a great choice that day in choosing the pepper spray," he added.
Aiden's mom said her son was treated like "a common criminal."
"I'm sure what he was doing wasn't right, but he's 8 years old," she told the station.
Mandy said the boy was transferred to a school with behavior problems and had been seeing a doctor.
"I got like anger things," Aiden said. "It's just who I am. I think it's not ever going to go away."
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