Substitute teacher snaps, beats up a student in violent cafeteria brawl caught on video (2024)

A Las Vegas substitute teacher was arrested on Thursday after a video showing him repeatedly punching a high school student went viral on social media.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) Police Department announced that 27-year-old Re’Kwon Smith was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center for battery with substantial bodily harm and disturbance of school, KTNV reports.

“Footage shows the moment a Las Vegas substitute teacher fought a high school student that allegedly called him a racial slur.”

– Daily Mail pic.twitter.com/UFeCrlAYLH

— The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) April 26, 2024

Smith and a Valley High School student were in the school’s cafeteria when the student allegedly called the teacher the “n-word,” according to the Daily Mail.

While there are reports that the student was also arrested, KTNV sources say he is recovering from the fight in a local hospital.

Andrew Acevez, a junior at the high school, witnessed the brawl.

“I see a teacher fighting a student, I’m like ‘wow,'” Acevez told KTNV. “And then the teacher is just standing over him, just slapping him, saying stuff to him, and I’m like, ‘wow, that’s crazy.'”

Smith, who has been employed with CCSD since November 2023, “will be removed from CCSD’s substitute pool and is no longer eligible to serve as a substitute in the district,” police stated.

In a note to parents, Valley High School Principal Kimberly Perry-Carter wrote, “As always, we want to keep you informed of important issues happening within our school community. We are aware of an altercation involving a staff member and a student.”

“The information is preliminary, however, please know that CCSDPD is investigating the matter,” the note continued. “Once we have information to share we will be sure to update our community.”

In a statement to KTNV, CCSD promised additional information as it becomes available and condemned the violent altercation.

“CCSD does not tolerate violence of any kind. Violence in any form is unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of education and respect,” the school district stated. “Any altercation between a teacher and a student is thoroughly investigated, and appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”

“Court records show Smith faces several charges including battery resulting in serious bodily harm, assault school pupil on school property/vehicle/activity, threatening to do bodily harm to public school student, and interfering with a student from attending school,” according to 8NewsNow. “He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on $9000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 26.”

Another angle of the altercation has some on social media saying the teacher acted in self-defense. The student is clearly shown throwing punches, too.

#NEWS: Substitute teacher arrested after fighting kid for calling him n-word in Las Vegas, NV pic.twitter.com/T7zVmJyczf

— 44vibe News (@44vibeTV) April 26, 2024

“Looks like the kid was fighting the teacher and learned a valuable lesson in respect,” wrote one user on X.

Overwhelmingly, however, users agree that the teacher is the one in need of a lesson.

“You assault my child because he used a word that triggers you,” cautioned one user, “you’re not gonna have too many conversations after that.”

You assault my child because he used a word that triggers you, you’re not gonna have too many conversations after that.

— Peter Richard (@cashfl0w2) April 26, 2024

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