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Child tackled by security after running on field at Bucs game

A Tampa Police Department spokesman said the child was issued a civil citation.
 
Law enforcement officials and stadium security detain an unidentified juvenile after the child ran onto the field during Sunday's Bucs-Falcons game at Raymond James Stadium.
Law enforcement officials and stadium security detain an unidentified juvenile after the child ran onto the field during Sunday's Bucs-Falcons game at Raymond James Stadium. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]
Published Oct. 9, 2022|Updated Oct. 9, 2022

TAMPA — A child ran onto the field and was tackled hard by a security guard in the second quarter of Tampa Bay’s game against Atlanta on Sunday.

A woman who identified herself as the mother told The Associated Press the child is 10 years old. A police officer later told the AP the age is older than 10, but he couldn’t release information because the child is a juvenile. The officer said the mother has several children and was confused about which one jumped onto the field.

Tampa Police Department spokesman Eddy Durkin told the Tampa Bay Times that the child got a civil citation for the Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program. Florida Statute 985.12 gives law enforcement authorization to issue the youth a civil citation in lieu of arrest.

“So he has to meet certain criteria and everything,” Durkin said. “It goes to the State Attorney, and they review it to see what happens there.”

Durkin didn’t have the age of the child, but the arrest avoidance program’s age parameters apply to those between 8 and 17 who commit certain first-time misdemeanor offenses.

The incident occurred while the Buccaneers were lining up for an extra point after Leonard Fournette’s 1-yard touchdown run gave them a 6-0 lead.

Last Monday night, a protester waving a device emitting pink smoke ran onto the field during the San Francisco 49ers’ home game against Los Angeles and was flattened by Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner.

The protester filed a police report after being subdued by Wagner.

By ROB MAADDI, Associated Press

Times staff writer Joey Knight contributed to this report.