Wynne Police Chief Jackie Clark said police responded to a report of “suspicious persons" and found the woman holding the teens at gunpoint.
Four black teens were held at gunpoint in Arkansas as they went door to door to raise money for their football team, authorities said.
Wynne Police Chief Jackie Clark said police responded to a report of “suspicious persons” on Aug. 7 and arrived to find four teens on the ground and a resident standing over them with a firearm.
The teens told police they had been selling “discount cards” to raise money for school sports.
Jerri Kelly, 46, was arrested after the incident on four counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor. She is reportedly the wife of local jail administrator Joe Kelly.
A resident of the neighborhood told WMC that it’s quite normal to see students canvassing the neighborhood around this time.
“Usually, it’s right before football season, late summer or early fall the kids were out selling these discount cards,” Bill Winkler said. “They’re just kids.”
It’s not clear why Kelly allegedly pulled out a gun on the children. She has been bailed out of jail since her arrest, police said. She pleaded not guilty to the charges against her Thursday.
Her next hearing is set for Sept. 30.
The Wynne School District is now considering bringing the door-to-door fundraisers to a halt after the incident, according to Time magazine.
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