Jonesboro Man Charged After Alleged Gun Threat During School Bus Incident

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man is facing felony charges after allegedly threatening to return with a gun during a confrontation involving a school bus, according to court documents and law enforcement officials.

Africa Elijah Anderson, whose bond has been set at $100,000, is charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony, and criminal trespass, a Class C misdemeanor, following the Sept. 15 incident.

Jonesboro police responded to Brazos and Kingsbury streets after receiving a report of a person with a weapon. The altercation was reportedly tied to a school located on Washington Avenue, according to the probable cause affidavit.

A witness informed police that someone had called the school to complain about a bus driver and that another voice in the background could be heard threatening to harm the driver. Investigators later identified Anderson as the person who made the threat.

Bus surveillance footage reportedly showed Anderson approaching the bus, asking for another individual, and boarding the vehicle once he confirmed their presence. Anderson exited the bus after being asked to leave but allegedly became visibly upset. According to police, he made a statement interpreted as a threat to return with a firearm if he heard further complaints from children about being mistreated. He then left the area but later returned toward the bus, with one school employee stating Anderson was seen running back and holding an unidentified object. Children on the bus alleged he had a gun. However, police documents make no mention of a firearm being recovered during the investigation.

According to investigators, Anderson admitted after being read his rights that he had spoken about "coming back with a gun" during a phone call and also threatened to harm the bus driver. He further acknowledged being the person captured on video and audio recordings related to the incident.

Both alleged victims in the case are school employees who were on duty at the time, police said.

Special Judge Barbara Halsey set Anderson’s bond at $100,000 cash or surety on Sept. 16. A no-contact order was also put in place, barring Anderson from interacting with the alleged victims.

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

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