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Home · News

White Woman Arrested For Pulling Gun On Black Couple Trying To Have A Picnic

Ruby Nell Howell, 70, is facing charges of threatening exposition of a weapon after pulling a gun on Franklin and Jessica Richardson.
White Woman Arrested For Pulling Gun On Black Couple Trying To Have A Picnic
Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office
By Breanna Edwards · Updated October 23, 2020

Life comes at you fast, and now, in addition to being unemployed, 70-year-old Ruby Nell Howell has got herself a court date after pulling a gun on a Black couple who was simply trying to have a picnic.

According to CNN, Howell, who was fired last month for the same incident that occurred at Oktibbeha County Lake near Starkville, Mississippi, is facing charges of threatening exhibition of a weapon.

She turned herself in on Tuesday morning but was later released on a $500 bond. She is due back in court on June 25.

As CNN notes, those convicted of threatening exhibition of weapons can be punished by up to three months in prison and up to $500 in fines.

The original incident occurred over Memorial Day weekend when Franklin and Jessica Richardson decided to spend their wonderful Sunday at the Kampgrounds of America (KOA) site.

The family had just arrived when Howell walked up, brandishing her weapon and claimed that they weren’t allowed there without a reservation.

“This lady literally just pulled a gun because we’re out here and didn’t have reservations, for a lake that we didn’t even know we had to have reservations for,” Jessica said in a video she captured for Facebook. “The only thing you had to do was tell us.”

“Well, I’m just telling you, you need to leave because it’s under private ownership,” Howell replied. “Y’all just can’t be out here. KOA won’t let you.”

RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL!! Today was a beautiful day so my husband (who's a vet), our 2 year old dog, and myself, decided to Google a lake to visit and have a picnic. We found a lake located in starkville, ms and decided to visit. Not five mins later a truck pulls up and a white lady screams at us, she then jumps out of her truck with a Gun. And proceeded to point it at the 3 of us, simply because we didnt make reservations. After leaving my husband stopped by the office and talked with her husband (they're the property managers). The husband tells my husband that reservations aren't needed for the lake. This happened In Starkville,Ms

Posted by Jessica Richardson on Sunday, May 26, 2019

Howell does put her gun away in her shorts pocket, but obviously, the encounter still left the Richardsons shaken.

As CNN notes, some days after the video went viral, KOA responded saying that Howell had been fired and it does not condone the use of weapons on its properties.

“The incident involved a campground employee and two persons seeking to access a lake via the campground’s private property. Unfortunately, the campground employee felt it necessary to display a firearm during the interaction with the two individuals and their dog,” the organization said according to CNN.

TOPICS:  Franklin Richardson Jessica Richardson Kampgrounds of America Oktibbeha County Lake Ruby Nell Howell
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