Suspect Accused of Gun Threat During Jonesboro School Bus Confrontation

JONESBORO, Ark. — A suspect accused of threatening to return with a gun during a confrontation involving a school bus faces a felony allegation and a $100,000 bond, according to court documents.

Africa Elijah Anderson faces allegations of first-degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony, and criminal trespass, a Class C misdemeanor, according to first-appearance paperwork.

Jonesboro police responded Sept. 15 to the intersection of Brazos and Kingsbury streets after a report of a person with a weapon. Officers were told the disturbance was connected to a school on Washington Avenue, according to the probable cause affidavit.

A witness told police a caller had contacted the school to complain about a bus driver and that a person could be heard in the background threatening to come to the school and assault the driver. Police later attributed the statement to Anderson.

An investigator wrote that bus video showed Anderson approaching the bus, asking for another person and boarding after learning that person was inside. Anderson got off when told to leave, according to the affidavit.

The investigator described Anderson as visibly upset and wrote that he appeared to threaten to return with a gun if children again reported being cursed at. Anderson then walked away before approaching the bus again, the affidavit says.

One school employee told police Anderson ran back toward the bus holding something the employee could not identify. Children on the bus shouted that he had a gun, according to the affidavit. The affidavit does not describe officers recovering a firearm.

Police said they reviewed bus video and recordings of phone calls about the dispute. Both alleged victims were school employees acting in the course of their duties, according to the affidavit.

After being advised of his rights, Anderson acknowledged saying he was “coming back with a gun” and threatening to beat up the bus driver during a phone call, the investigator wrote. Anderson also confirmed he was the person in the video and on the recordings, according to the affidavit.

Special Judge Barbara Halsey set Anderson’s bond at $100,000 cash or surety Sept. 16. The first-appearance paperwork also notes no-contact orders.

Anderson’s next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Craighead County Courthouse, according to the paperwork.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.