5th-Grade Basketball Assistant Coach Mallik Murray from Jonesboro was arrested after he shoved and threatened the Valley View principal during a basketball tournament.
Mallik Martarius Murray is a 30‑year‑old resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas, who coached a fifth‑grade boys basketball team in the area.
He was serving as an assistant coach for a team in a city-run youth basketball league connected with Nettleton Schools.
Murray was not employed by the school district.
5th-Grade Assistant Coach Arrested for Threatening the School Principal!
Malik Murray was arrested on December 12, 2025, following the incident on December 6, 2025, at a youth tournament held on the Valley View School campus.
Murray was coaching a team representing Nettleton Schools in a city‑run league, not as an employee of the school district.
According to authorities, the incident began just after a game ended when Murray approached a player from the opposing team to discuss a shoving incident that had taken place on the court.
Following that, Valley View principal intervened, telling Murray he did not need to speak with the player.
Instead of leaving the situation alone, Murray allegedly shoved the principal, used profanity, and said he would “beat him up.”
Later, Murray was escorted out of the building by staff and other adults. Despite leaving once, he returned and continued to threaten the principal.
The conduct was reportedly captured on video, and witnesses said Murray was held back by others more than once as the confrontation continued.
Following the incident, Murray was charged with first‑degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony, and third‑degree assault, a misdemeanor offense.
During his court appearance, it was noted that the prosecutor may amend some charges to misdemeanors.
As Murray had no prior criminal history, he was released on his own recognizance and did not have to post bail.
However, Murray’s next scheduled court appearance is set for January 23, 2026, in circuit court.
In the meantime, school officials emphasized that he was not employed by the district, but was participating in the event as a volunteer coach in the city‑run league.
