A Saline County Republican Committee meeting in Benton, Arkansas, erupted into violence on Thursday night when a man sucker punched a member in the face.
The shocking incident, captured on video by Kenny Wallis, shows Jimmie Cavin, 62, landing a punch on Johnathan Newcomb following a heated verbal exchange.
The chaotic scene unfolded after Newcomb allegedly made a disparaging remarks about a woman’s nose ring, according to conservative activist Cavin.
Cavin, reportedly standing at 5’9′ and weighing 195 lbs, claimed he ‘feared for his life’ and acted in ‘self-defense’ against the ‘massive’ Newcomb, who he estimates to be a much younger and stronger man in his thirties.
A Saline County Republican Committee meeting in Benton, Arkansas , erupted into violence on Thursday night when a man host sucker punched a committee member in the face
The shocking incident, captured on video by Kenny Wallis, shows Jimmie Cavin, 62 (pictured), landing a punch on Johnathan Newcomb following a heated verbal exchange
Cavin has now come forward with his account of the altercation on Facebook.
According to Cavin, tensions flared when Newcomb allegedly heckled and harassed Kandi Cox, a respected community figure, as she approached the microphone.
‘Newc, who is easily 6’5 or better and 350 plus pounds, was yelling at, cursing, and flipping off several attendees during the meeting. He particularly focused on a lady by the name of Kandi Cox,’ Cavin wrote.
‘If you don’t know Kandi, she is a wonderful lady doing miracles in our State and is beloved in the community.’
Witnesses claim Newcomb shouted, ‘Go polish your nose ring,’ and made offensive gestures.
‘During the meeting, Kandi went to the microphone in order to make a motion from the floor. Newc and others at his table began to heckle and harass Kandi who happens to wear a nose ring. Newc went so far as to flip her off and shout ‘Go polish your nose ring.”
The situation escalated when Cox returned to the microphone later in the meeting.
Cavin said he intervened when Newcomb began intimidating the woman.
According to Cavin, tensions flared when Newcomb allegedly heckled and harassed Kandi Cox, a respected community figure, as she approached the microphone
Cavin, reportedly standing at 5’9′ and weighing 195 lbs, claims he acted in ‘self-defense’ against the ‘massive’ Newcomb, who he estimates to be a much younger and stronger man in his thirties
Cavin maintains he doesn’t advocate violence but believes it was necessary as ‘a last resort in the defense of myself and others
Cavin reports that Newcomb began staring at Cox in an ‘intimidating manner’ as she walked past.
‘I was standing at the back of the room and when I saw what [Newcomb] was doing, I told [Newcomb] to not look at her but to look at me and to leave her alone,’ Cavin wrote on Facebook. ‘I was hoping that would defuse [Sp] the situation.
But tensions escalated when Newcomb allegedly approached Cavin, asking, ‘What are you gonna do, boy?’
‘I was standing at the back of the room and when I saw what Newc was doing, I moved to go stand by Kandi’s side and told Newc to not look at her but to look at me and to leave her alone.’
Cavin reports that Newcomb began staring at Cox in an ‘intimidating manner’ as she walked past
But tensions escalated when Newcomb allegedly approached Cavin, asking, ‘What are you gonna do, boy?’
‘I was hoping to take his attention away from Kandi and that would diffuse the situation. Newc then began coming at me stating ‘What are you gonna do boy.’
‘I am 62 years old, 5’9 and 195lbs. As I stated earlier, Newc is a massive man and looks to be in his thirties. With the look on his face, I knew I was in certain danger and felt Kandi and others were as well.’
Video footage captured the moment Cavin took a defensive stance and warned Newcomb to back away.
When Newcomb continued to advance, Cavin threw the punch that left Newcomb bleeding.
‘As he got close, I prepared myself by taking a defensive position and told him to back off which did not faze him one bit so I put my hand up in an effort to stop him again.’
‘However, he just kept coming, I could not hold him back, and when he was upon me, I knew I had no choice but to defend myself in the hopes of not getting hurt or worse. Thankfully that paid off other than I injured my shoulder throwing the punches.’
Cavin maintains he doesn’t advocate violence but believes it was necessary as ‘a last resort in the defense of myself and others.’
‘To be clear, I do not advocate violence. However, I believe that violence is a last resort in the defense of myself and others as is our right under Arkansas law. Had I not acted to defend myself, I and others could have been severely hurt.’
‘My attorney spoke to several persons present last night and they all reported feeling threatened by Newc. Newc approached my attorney and attempted to fight him as well after I had left the building.’
The woman with the nose ring later thanked Cavin on social media for coming to her defense.
As of now, no charges have been filed.