Pennsylvania lawmaker pushes for protections after crossing guard attack in Darby, Pa.

DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) — A suspect accused of attacking a school crossing guard outside Walnut Street Elementary School in Darby Borough is in custody, five days after the incident that unfolded in front of children.

Rashiem Russell was arrested Friday in South Carolina by U.S. Marshals in connection with the assault, authorities announced.

The crossing guard was chased down and punched unconscious Monday after reportedly ordering an aggressive driver to stop outside the school, as she was helping children cross the street. The unprovoked and potentially deadly attack was caught on video.

“I was devastated. We’ve never had anything like that happen,” said Jonathan Abdur-Rahim King, owner of Safe Corridors, the company that employed the guard.

READ MORE | Arrest made after violent attack on crossing guard in Darby, Pa. that was caught on video

King said the incident is the first of its kind for the company, but also a turning point. Safe Corridors now plans to equip all crossing guards with walkie-talkies to allow faster communication with others at the same school in the event of an emergency. King also said the company is working toward legislative changes.

“We’re going to be working on legislation to make sure if someone does something to a crossing guard, they are prosecuted just like they’ve done something to a first responder,” he said.

State Sen. Anthony Williams is part of that effort. He appeared alongside police and U.S. Marshals on Friday as authorities announced Russell’s arrest and charges.

“We’re doing the research, we’ve already started it, and we’re going to draft it next week at some point in time to introduce it to the general assembly,” Williams said.

Williams had offered a $5,000 reward in connection with the case. King said crossing guards are often overlooked, but the rapid arrest sent a powerful message.

READ MORE | ‘It’s disgusting’: Crossing guard assaulted outside Darby elementary school

“As little as people may look at crossing guards, here it is, an operation of finding someone went to the highest level and we got him,” King said.

Williams said the proposed legislation would go beyond assaults to address the broader risks crossing guards can face on the job.

“They are the protection for a child, and so we believe they deserve the same kind of protection as any first responder would,” he said.

The crossing guard involved had been on the job for about six months. She has since resigned and continues to recover from the attack.