By Devin Williams
BARTLESVILLE, Okla.–In small towns like Bartlesville, Oklahoma, some things are considered unspoken rules. Respect Murphy’s Steakhouse’s “hot hamburger.” Expect traffic congestion at the Price Road roundabout during rush hour. But one unwritten rule is now under scrutiny: the criminalization of rambunctious child’s play.
On February 5, a nine-year-old fourth-grade student at Hoover Elementary School was arrested after firing an X-Shot gel blaster— a toy gun that launches water-filled gel beads— at a classmate before school hours. Bartlesville Police Department (BPD) officers responded to the scene, ultimately taking the child into custody for simple assault. The gel blaster was confiscated as evidence.
In an official statement to local news outlet Examiner-Enterprise, Bartlesville Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry stated:
“On February 5, 2025, at approximately 8:27 AM, an elementary student brought a battery-powered ‘X-Shot Gel Blaster Gun’ (which shoots Orbee-style water beads) to Hoover Elementary School. The student, a nine-year-old fourth grader, removed the gel blaster from his backpack and fired between five and fifteen rounds, striking another student in the arm. A school administrator quickly intervened, stopping the incident before any serious injuries occurred. The Bartlesville Police Department was called to the scene, where the juvenile was arrested for simple assault. The gel blaster was confiscated and booked as evidence. There are no further updates at this time.”
The following day, February 6, 2025, Washington County District Attorney Will Drake reiterated BPD’s response, adding that children “panicked and scattered” when the toy gun was fired. He also commended the swift intervention of Hoover Elementary’s School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer Jackson. It remains unclear whether Officer Jackson was the arresting officer.
District Attorney Drake stated, “We all know kids will make mistakes, but we also believe in accountability.”
The Black Wall Street Times reached out to BPD for a response, but it went unanswered.
School discipline or criminalization of children?
The arrest of a nine-year-old for a schoolyard incident raises urgent questions about the role of police in schools. While supporters argue that SROs ensure student safety, critics wonder who protects the children from their protectors— particularly in a post-Uvalde America where police have no constitutional obligation to protect individuals, including children.
While there is no conclusive evidence that the adoption of SROs in schools reduces crime, the Department of Education reports that Black students and students with disabilities are twice as likely to be reported to law enforcement.
The presence of SROs in Bartlesville schools became permanent in late 2022. To commemorate the occasion, David B. King of The Lyon Foundation and State Farm Agent Jim Moore gifted BPD new ballistic shields, further cementing the collaboration between law enforcement and local schools.
The growing police presence is evident in more than just policy—Thin Blue Line flags can be seen decorating some school hallways.
Bartlesville Police Department’s tumultuous history
This incident comes as BPD faces ongoing scrutiny for past misconduct. Several scandals involving Bartlesville officers in recent years have shaken public trust:
- 2019: Officer Jerry Kelley Jr. was charged with embezzling money from the Police Explorers program, a mentorship initiative for aspiring young officers. Then-Police Chief Tracy Roles admitted to a “total lack of oversight” in the program’s finances.
- 2020: Officer James Graham was charged with indecent exposure and sexual battery after admitting to exposing himself and engaging in unwanted physical contact while on duty with two female officers. He was acquitted in 2023.
- 2022: An unidentified BPD officer was investigated by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for inappropriate sexual contact with a criminal informant. He resigned before facing disciplinary action.
- 2024: A viral YouTube video, viewed over 1.4 million times, showed Officer Reed Blackard aggressively restraining a 53-year-old grandmother attempting to drive her injured grandchild to the emergency room. The footage sparked community outrage.
Despite the contention, many Bartlesville residents continue to show public support for their police force. Pro-BPD yard signs dot local neighborhoods and businesses like Sterling’s Grille display law enforcement appreciation posters. However, for many, incidents like the arrest of a nine-year-old child deepen concerns about unrestrained policing policy.
An SRO-to-prison pipeline
The criminalization of children— particularly for minor, non-violent incidents— reflects a broader trend in American law enforcement. Research shows that early interactions with the criminal justice system increase a child’s likelihood of future encounters with police. Advocates argue that schools should focus on restorative justice and conflict resolution rather than arresting children for playground behavior.
Bartlesville’s handling of this case raises critical questions: Should a fourth-grader be arrested for playing with a toy gun? What safeguards exist to prevent unnecessary criminalization of children? And in a town where police scandals have eroded public trust, how much oversight does BPD truly have?
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Devin Williams is a journalist, artist, activist and community organizer. They have written & produced audio storytelling pieces for nationally recognized news organizations like Focus: Black Oklahoma and NPR . A Texas native, they moved to Bartlesville, OK in 2013. They practice decolonization and believe in weaponizing their privilege to dismantle the Patriarchy.
