A woman from the state of Massachusetts, USA, is accused of using a bee swarm as a weapon against police officers who came with an evacuation order, writes Reuters. Bees stung several police officers and passers-by, and a representative of the authorities was taken to the hospital.

The incident occurred when Rory Woods, 55, a professional beekeeper, drove up to a Longmeadow residence while authorities were enforcing an evacuation order, the sheriff’s department said.

The home, located outside Springfield, Mass., belonged to a man who for years challenged his eviction in court with the support of activists including Woods, a sheriff’s department spokesman said. After arriving at the residence with a trailer loaded with hives, Woods got out of the vehicle and opened the hatches to release the bees.

“A sheriff’s deputy tried to stop her, but when the agitated bees started to come out and surround the area, he backed off,” the source quoted as saying.

She then broke the lid of the hive and knocked it over, shaking the bees, the sheriff said Wednesday. Bees stung several police officers and passers-by, and a representative of the authorities was taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Woods donned his beekeeper suit to protect himself and set up a beehive in front of the house in an attempt to stop the evacuation. At that time she was arrested.

“I support people’s right to protest peacefully, but if it goes too far and puts both my staff and the public at risk, I promise to make arrests,” Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said, according to Agerpres.

Woods, who lives in Hadley, Mass., about 25 miles north of Longmeadow, faces multiple counts of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct. According to local media, Woods pleaded not guilty. (Source: Agerpres)