Police: Teacher Assaulted Student Who Called Him 'Bruh'

A classroom exchange over the word "bruh" has led to an aggravated assault charge for an Arkansas teacher, police say. Tracy Matthews, 56, of Wonder Junior High in West Memphis, was arrested after police allege he grabbed a student by the shirt and shoved him into a desk, then later followed him out of classroom, pushed him against a wall, and choked him, WREG reports.

According to a police report, the April 15 confrontation began when the student said, "Bruh, I don't have a computer." Matthews allegedly replied, "I'm not your bruh, I'm your sir." When the student answered, "My bad, lil bruh," officers say the physical contact occurred. The student informed the principal of what had allegedly transpired; ABC24 reports the school resource officer reviewed the surveillance footage and then contacted police. The district called it an "isolated" case and added that it "appreciates its partnership with the West Memphis Police Department, which helps contribute to the safety of all district schools."