A fistfight between a substitute teacher and a student at Valley High School today landed the teacher in jail, school police said.
Multiple bystander cellphone videos posted to social media show a teenager wearing a backpack trading blows with an adult in a crowded hallway at the central Las Vegas high school.
Clark County School District Police said that the adult was Re’Kwon Smith, 27, a substitute who had been with the district since November. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of battery with substantial bodily harm and disturbance of school, police said.
Bystander videos show the brawl took place under a banner that said “Building the best within you: Valley: Integrity, respect, responsibility, courage & justice.” The videos range from about 15 to 40 seconds long, and were taken from different angles.
At one point, the teen lost his footing but stood back up and the two continued fighting. After one of the adult’s punches landed on the student’s face, the teen dropped onto his back, then curled onto his side as the adult stood over him and appeared to speak to him. The adult, whose shirt appeared ripped during the tussle, walked away as students came closer and some put themselves between the two. The videos didn’t show what triggered the fight or who threw the first punch.
The district only mentioned the substitute being arrested.
Valley Principal Kimberly Perry-Carter sent a note to families acknowledging the incident.
“We are aware of an altercation involving a staff member and a student,” she wrote. “The information is preliminary, however, please know that CCSDPD is investigating the matter. Once we have information to share we will be sure to update our community.”
“CCSD does not tolerate violence of any kind,” the district said in a statement. “Violence in any form is unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of education and respect. Any altercation between a teacher and a student is thoroughly investigated, and appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
Nevada Department of Education records show that Smith has been licensed as a substitute since last year.
He will be removed from CCSD’s substitute pool, the district said.
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