An Arkansas teacher has been arrested following an incident where he allegedly choked a student during a classroom altercation captured on video. The student reportedly called the teacher “bruh” several times, which escalated the situation.
According to the West Memphis Police Department, Tracey Matthews, a 56-year-old educator at Wonder Junior High School in West Memphis, was charged with aggravated assault on April 15. The incident occurred after the student used the slang term “bruh” in response to a question about having a computer, as reported by WREG.
Police reports state that the situation intensified when the student said, “Bruh, I don’t have a computer,” to the teacher.
Matthews reportedly retorted, “I’m not your bruh, I’m your sir,” to which the student replied, “My bad, lil bruh.” This exchange allegedly led Matthews to grab the student by his shirt and push him against a desk.
The student then left the classroom, but the teacher allegedly followed and grabbed him by the neck, forcing him against a wall and choking him, according to police.
The student reported the incident to the principal, who reviewed the surveillance footage and notified authorities promptly.
The West Memphis School District described this as an “isolated” incident in a statement. It is unclear whether Matthews is still employed, as per the report.
However, his name is not listed on the school’s staffing page.
Resident James Barber expressed his outrage, saying, “They’re not supposed to just put their hands on the kids like that because they call them bruh, he is a bruh.” He emphasized his desire for Matthews to face consequences, adding, “He shouldn’t have never put his hands on a student like that, and he’s a teacher, too. Anger should be left at home and not in the school, not in the workplace.”
Matthews was reportedly freed on bond shortly after being booked at Crittenden County Jail.
The explosive assault remains under investigation.
