Police said the confrontation began after a student used the word “bruh” during class.
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — A 56-year-old Wonder Junior High School teacher was arrested April 15 and charged with aggravated assault after police said he grabbed, pushed and choked a student during a classroom dispute.
The case has drawn attention beyond West Memphis because of the brief exchange police said preceded the alleged assault and because school surveillance video became central to the investigation. Authorities identified the teacher as Tracey Matthews. The West Memphis School District called the matter an isolated incident and said it would not comment further because police were involved. Matthews was released on bond after being booked into the Crittenden County Jail.
Police said the incident happened April 15 at Wonder Junior High School in West Memphis, a city along the Mississippi River across from Memphis, Tennessee. According to reports citing a police account, the dispute began when a student said, “Bruh, I don’t have a computer.” Matthews replied, “I’m not your bruh. I’m your sir.” When the student answered, “My bad, lil bruh,” police said Matthews grabbed the student by the shirt and pushed him against a desk. The student then left the classroom, and Matthews followed him into a hallway, where police said the confrontation continued.
Investigators said Matthews then grabbed the student by the neck, pushed him against a wall and choked him. The student later reported that it was hard to breathe during the encounter. School administrators were told about the incident, and the principal reviewed surveillance footage before contacting the West Memphis Police Department. Police said school officers obtained video from the campus before Matthews was taken into custody. Authorities have not released the student’s name, age or grade level, and the video has not been made public in full through official channels.
The West Memphis School District said in a statement that it was aware of an isolated incident at Wonder Junior High School and that the safety and well-being of students and staff remained its top priority. The district said it appreciated its partnership with the West Memphis Police Department, which it said contributes to safety at district schools. Because the matter was being handled by law enforcement, the district said it had no further comment. Local reports said Matthews’ employment status was not clear after the arrest, and his name was not listed on the school’s public staff page.
Matthews faces an aggravated assault charge, a serious criminal accusation tied to the alleged physical contact with the student. Jail records cited by local reports said he was released shortly after being booked. Authorities have not announced a public court date, and no plea had been reported as of Thursday, April 23. Police said the case remains under investigation. Prosecutors will decide how the charge moves forward in court, and additional details may come from court filings, police updates or district records if they are released.
Parents and residents who spoke to local television stations said the case was upsetting because it involved an adult in a school setting. Bobby Patterson, a local parent, said he would feel devastated if he heard about something similar involving one of his children. Elaine Warren, another resident, said Wonder Junior High was a good school but that the teacher “went too far.” James Barber, a West Memphis resident, said teachers should not put their hands on students over words. The comments reflected wider concern in the community about how the classroom dispute became physical.
The case also sparked a broader debate online about student behavior, teacher stress and the line between discipline and force. Some social media users focused on the student’s language, while others said no classroom comment could justify choking a child. The police account, however, centers on what investigators said was captured on surveillance video and reported to school leaders. The district has not released details about any internal review, whether Matthews was placed on leave or whether other students or employees witnessed the encounter.
As of Thursday, April 23, Matthews was out on bond, the aggravated assault charge remained pending and the West Memphis Police Department’s investigation was still open.
Author note: Last updated April 23, 2026.