Las Vegas substitute teacher released after high school fight

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez Las Vegas Review-Journal

7 months ago

Re’Kwon Smith, who was connected to a student-teacher fight at Valley High School, appears in court during his arraignment at the Regional Justice Center, on Friday, April 26, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Re’Kwon Smith, who was connected to a student-teacher fight at Valley High School, appears in court with his attorney Alzora Jackson, right, during his arraignment at the Regional Justice Center, on Friday, April 26, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Re’Kwon Smith (CCSDPD)

This is a screenshot from a provided video of Valley High School substitute teacher Re’Kwon Smith and a student in a fight Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Valley High School in Las Vegas. (Courtesy)

This is a screenshot from a provided video of the Valley High School student who got into a fight with substitute teacher Re’Kwon Smith Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Valley High School in Las Vegas. In this frame the student is taunting Smith and calling him a racial expletive. (Courtesy)

A Clark County School District educator arrested Thursday in connection with a student-teacher fight at Valley High School was ordered released without bail after a Friday afternoon court appearance.

Re’Kwon Smith, a substitute teacher, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a felony count of battery with substantial bodily harm.

The 27-year-old is also facing misdemeanor charges of threat to a student causing fear, interference with a student attending school and assault on school property, Las Vegas Justice Court records show.

Shackled and still in street clothes, Smith appeared in front of Hearing Master Daniel Westmeyer.

Westmeyer said the case would proceed, and told Smith that his freedom was contingent on him staying away from school property and avoiding contact with the victim.

A Clark County prosecutor and defense attorney Alzora Jackson agreed with the conditions, both noting that Smith had no previous criminal history.

“The defendant has no criminal history and no indication that he’s a flight risk,” a prosecutor said. “This seems to be sort of a unique situation.”

Jackson declined to speak with reporters.

The investigation into the fight began Thursday, according to the district, which added that Smith was no longer eligible to serve as a substitute.

Principal Kimberly Perry-Carter wrote in a letter to the school community shared by the district that the school was “aware of an altercation involving a staff member and a student.”

Perry-Carter said school police were investigating the incident, but did not share additional details.

A copy of his arrest report was not immediately available Friday.

Videos of the fight have spread on social media. The footage shows students gathered around an apparent fistfight in a school hallway, and a male student who appeared to be knocked out by a man.

In a news release, the district said that it doesn’t tolerate violence.

“Violence in any form is unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of education and respect, the release said. “Any altercation between a teacher and a student is thoroughly investigated, and appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”

The school district said it had hired Smith in November.

Earnest Roberson, who most recently coached Bonanza High School’s boys varsity basketball team, confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday that Smith had been appointed to replace him in the head coaching position.

Review-Journal reporter Alex Wright contributed to this story.