Arkansas Deputy Faces Consequences: Fired After Video Emerges of Gun Gestures and Racial Slurs

An Arkansas deputy was terminated after a video emerged showing him simulating pointing a loaded firearm at an individual while using a racial slur, all while off-duty. Yell County Sheriff Nick Gault issued a statement via Facebook, denouncing the deputy's "reckless and dangerous actions" with a firearm alongside the "obscene and racist language" used. The officer, identified by KLRT Reporter Neal Zeringue as Jaxon Arndt, had recently joined the sheriff’s department after graduating from a law enforcement training academy in April 2023. The controversial footage showcased Arndt in the passenger seat of a truck, as he pointed a gun at the ground, instructing an imaginary person to "Get ready for ole police academy training. Get down you f—in n—r! Stop resisting.” Following the video's revelation, the sheriff's office promptly terminated Arndt’s employment. Gault emphasized the necessity for mandatory training on racial discrimination and proper social media conduct for deputies to ensure public trust.