Last week in Wynne, Arkansas, four black students were held at gunpoint while selling cards for a school fundraiser, according to KNOE News.
A group of Wynne High School football players are traumatized after being forced to the ground and held at gunpoint. https://t.co/Eo0ds8tM2M
— WREG News Channel 3 (@3onyourside) August 14, 2019
The incident took place at a home on Morningside Drive at 10 a.m. Aug 7. The four teens were going door-to-door selling discount cards for their high school football program. The Wynne School system said two of which were wearing school jerseys.
In a media statement, Wynne Police Chief Jacki Clark said officers responded to a report of “suspicious persons”. When they arrived, they found four young boys lying on the ground with a woman standing over them with a gun. The officers let the children stand up and they explained they were selling cards for a school athletic program.
Bill Winkler, a resident who’s lived in the neighborhood for four decades said seeing the students weren’t uncommon.
“Usually, it’s right before football season, late summer or early fall the kids were outselling these discount card,” Winkler said Tuesday.
On Monday, Wynne police arrested 46-year-old Jerri Kelly on four counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor.
However, Kelly doesn’t have mugshot because Cross county Sheriff David West told WMC Action News 5 that she had a “medical issue” at the time of booking. Ironically Kelly is the wife of Cross county Jail Administrator Joe Kelly, one of West’s employees.
Despite the connection and no mugshot—which is standard procedure for anyone booked into jail—West maintains that Jerri Kelly did not get special treatment. Her husband, Joe, also remains on the job.
“I’m professional. My department is professional. There was no special treatment. She went through the steps just like any other person would,” said West.
Nobody came to the door at Kelly’s home Tuesday when reporters inquired for comment.
Meanwhile, neighbors are left disturbed by the details of the encounter.
“They’re just kids,” said Winkler. “You worry about your neighborhood, and you wonder who is this person.”
Wynne Superintendent Easley said the district is reviewing its fundraising policy and considering no longer allowing door-to-door sales.
Cross County Court staff told WMC Action News 5 that Kelly is scheduled to make her first appearance in front of a judge Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
