An Arkansas teacher was arrested after he allegedly choked a student who called him “bruh” several times during a classroom spat, which was caught on camera.
The West Memphis Police Department said that Tracey Matthews, who is a teacher at Wonder Junior High School in West Memphis, was charged with aggravated assault on April 15 after he allegedly attacked the student for calling him “bruh” when Matthews asked the student if he had a computer, according to WREG.
According to police, Matthews, 56, lost his temper when the student told him, “Bruh, I don’t have a computer.”
“I’m not your bruh, I’m your sir,” Matthews reportedly responded before the student replied, “My bad, lil bruh.”
Matthews allegedly responded by grabbing the victim by his shirt and slamming him against a desk. The student then stormed out of the classroom, and Matthews followed him until he was able to grab the student by the neck, shoved him against a wall and choked him, according to police.
The victim then reported what happened to the principal, who reviewed the surveillance footage and then contacted authorities about the incident.
The West Memphis School District issued a statement about the attack, stating that it was an “isolated” incident. The school added that it “appreciates its partnership with the West Memphis Police Department, which helps contribute to the safety of all district schools.”
It is not currently clear if Matthews is still employed by the school district, according to WREG. However, Us Weekly can confirm that his name is currently not listed on the school’s staffing page on its website.
Matthews was arrested and was taken into custody at Crittenden County Jail. Pulse 961 reported that he has since been released on bond. It’s not currently clear if he has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest.
The West Memphis Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
The incident currently remains under investigation.
The situation has left some of the members of the community in shock. “They’re not supposed to just put their hands on the kids like that because they call them bruh, he is a bruh,” resident James Barber told WREG.
“He shouldn’t have never put his hands on a student like that, and he’s a teacher, too,” Barber continued. “Anger should be left at home and not in the school, not in the workplace.”
