A 12-year-old Saxonburg boy is facing aggravated assault charges after he allegedly attacked a school resource officer Thursday at the Center Avenue Community School in Butler.

City police said they responded to the alternative and special needs school on reports of a disorderly student about 1:50 p.m.

School staff told police that the boy was attempting to cut himself with a staple and then attacked a school officer when he attempted to take it away, according to police reports.

Police said the boy attempted to bite the school officer, then kicked him about two dozen times and punched him in the chest about a dozen times.

The boy was taken to the city police station, where a social service worker responded to evaluate the boy.