Texas
Texas city council debate turns physical, police intervene
A city council debate in Texas was cut short earlier this week after organizers and police had to physically intervene to separate two of the candidates.
The Context
District 8 incumbent council member Chris Nettles and his opponent, Payton Jackson, had to be physically separated during the interaction at a debate between two candidates for Fort Worth City Council. It took place before the council elections next month.
Newsweek contacted the District 8 council for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
What To Know
The altercation occurred after Jackson mentioned a civil lawsuit against Nettles, alleging he conspired with her landlord to disclose confidential details from her lease agreement, according to a report by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Nettles denied the claims.
Approximately 100 people attended the debate, which took place in the gymnasium of the Bethlehem Center at 951 Evans Avenue and was organized by the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association.
The exchange began when moderators asked the candidates which neighborhood in the district they lived in.
Jackson, seated to Nettles’ left, used the moment to raise the lawsuit, walking over to Nettles and placing the legal document on his table. Nettles initially looked away, but stood up as Jackson remained by his table. The two pointed fingers at each other until Nettles turned away.
Barbara Symers/GETTY
Jackson then placed her left hand on Nettles’ shoulder, appearing to push him, at which point he swatted her hand away. They are seen being separated by other attendees at the meeting, and police officers then stepped in to separate the candidates, according to the Star-Telegram.
According to a report by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, Jackson is a former member of Nettles’ campaign staff.
What People Are Saying
Chris Nettles said after the incident, according to a report by Fox 4 News: “I think I acted appropriately by standing up. As she approached me, then I stand up and to protect myself and make sure she doesn’t do anything while I’m sitting down. I think it’s good to have a good debate, a good conversation, but violence is not the answer.”
Payton Jackson said: “He stands up, starts antagonizing me as you can see on the video I walk up to his table. My hands are behind my back. He pushes me and I retaliate. I would never put my hands on anyone, let alone a public official.
“These debates, these forums, they get heated, but I never touched him initially, he touched me first. If I’m in your personal space and you really feel in danger back up, back up. I would never put my hands on anybody, not initially.”
What’s Next
Nettles and Jackson are set to attend another public forum before the Fort Worth City Council elections take place on May 3.
No. 1 seed Texas (51-12, 16-8 in SEC play) and No. 3 seed Texas Tech (61-8, 21-3 in the Big 12) begin their three-game series at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Each
Texas
Brazoria County deputy shoots, kills Texas State University student after car chase, report says
BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas – A Texas State University student was shot and killed by a Brazoria County Sheriff’s deputy early Monday morning after an attempted traffic stop in Lake Jackson.
The news was first reported by The University Star, Texas State’s student-run newspaper.
In a Tuesday statement to KSAT, the university identified the student as John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., 18. He was a freshman who studied management, according to the school.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragedy,” the university said in its statement.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle just after midnight Monday near Farm-to-Market 2004 and This Way Street in Lake Jackson, the sheriff’s office said.
The driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Mendoza by The University Star, did not stop, deputies said. The deputies then chased after the vehicle for approximately a mile into a neighborhood located in the 100 block of Indian Warrior Trail.
According to the sheriff’s office, the driver went inside a home’s garage and parked before a deputy approached the vehicle, the release said.
The deputy then pulled out his firearm and shot into the vehicle. The sheriff’s office said the gunfire struck the driver.
The University Star reported that Mendoza was the one shot. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The deputy who pulled the trigger has since been placed on administrative leave in accordance with the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office policy.
KSAT reached out to the Lake Jackson Police Department and the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for more information, but neither agency has responded at this time.
The shooting investigation is being led by the Texas Rangers, according to a Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office news release.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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