Overview:
An Arkansas teacher was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after allegedly grabbing, choking, and pushing a student during a classroom confrontation that was captured on surveillance video.
A comment from a middle school has ended with one Arkansas teacher arrested for aggravated assault in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Tracy Matthews, 56, a teacher at Wonder Junior High School, faces a felony charge for reportedly putting his hands on a student on April 15.
West Memphis Police say the incident happened in a classroom and was caught on surveillance video.
According to the police report, it all started when the student told Matthews, “Bruh, I don’t have a computer.” Matthews then responded with, “I’m not your bruh. I’m your sir.”
When the student said, “My bad, lil bruh,” police say Matthews grabbed the student by his shirt and pushed him against a desk.
The police report shows the student then walked out and was followed by Matthews, who allegedly grabbed him by his neck, pushed him against the wall and choked him, making it hard for him to breathe.
The student reported the incident to the principal, who then obtained surveillance video and contacted West Memphis Police, who arrested and charged Matthews with aggravated assault.
In a statement, the West Memphis School District says it’s aware of the “isolated” incident.
“The West Memphis School District is aware of an isolated incident at Wonder Jr. High School. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is the district’s top priority. We appreciate our partnership with the West Memphis Police Department which contributes to the safety of all district schools. Being a law enforcement matter, the district has no further comment.”
According to records from the Crittenden County Jail, Matthews was released two hours after he was taken into custody
