SANFORD, Fla. — A Seminole High School security guard reported being attacked during a large on-campus fight this week, leading to the arrest of 18-year-old student Tyshawn Ellison.
Multiple videos from Tuesday’s incident show several students involved in a physical altercation. In one clip, Ellison—wearing a white shirt and light jeans—is seen running toward another student.
According to a sworn police statement, the security guard, identified as Ms. Cypress, claimed that Ellison pushed her and initiated a physical confrontation. Based on her account, police arrested Ellison and charged him with battery.
However, Ellison’s mother, Darlene Ellison, insists her son is being wrongly accused. “He was fighting, yes. But he did not assault that woman,” she told local media. She added that video evidence captured by students contradicts the guard’s claims and has since been turned over to Sanford police.
One slowed-down clip appears to show Ellison pointing while the guard reaches toward him. What happened before and after remains unclear.
“I don’t want a felony on my son’s record for something he didn’t do,” Darlene Ellison said. “I want that security guard off the campus.”
Sanford Police stated that Ellison’s arrest was based on probable cause from sworn statements. Seminole County Public Schools confirmed that law enforcement is handling the matter.
