White Woman Who Pulled Gun on Black Couple Gets Arrested

A white woman who was fired after pulling a gun on a black couple at a Mississippi campground has been arrested over the incident, authorities said.

Ruby Nell Howell, 70, was charged Tuesday with threatening exhibition of a weapon, the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office announced. The Starkville woman turned herself in, deputies said.

She was released on $500 bail.

Kampgrounds of America fired Howell after video went viral showing her approaching a black husband and wife while holding a gun. 

Jessica Richardson took to Facebook over Memorial Day Weekend and posted video of the encounter. "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," she wrote. "We found a lake 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 three of us, simply because we didn't make reservations," she posted.

Her Facebook entry was titled "RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL!!"

Kampgrounds spokesman Mike Gast announced days later the woman had been fired.

The organization "does not condone the use of a firearm in any manner," he said in a statement.

Howell's criminal charge is punishable by up to three months in jail and a maximum fine of $500. She has not commented publicly about the incident or her arrest, and has not entered a plea. 

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