A meeting of the Saline County Republican Committee in Benton, Arkansas, erupted into violence Thursday night when a man punched a party member in the face.
The shocking incident, captured on video by Kenny Wallis, shows Jimmie Cavin, 62, punching Johnathan Newcomb after a heated exchange.
According to conservative activist Cavin, a chaotic situation arose after Newcomb allegedly made derogatory comments about a woman’s nose piercing.
Cavin, reportedly 5 feet 9 inches tall and 190 pounds, claimed he was “scared for his life” and acted in “self-defense” against the “huge” Newcomb, whom he estimates to be a much younger and stronger man in his 30s.
A Saline County Republican Committee meeting in Benton, Arkansas, erupted into violence Thursday night when a male host punched a committee member in the face
The shocking incident, captured on video by Kenny Wallis, shows Jimmie Cavin, 62 (pictured), punching Johnathan Newcomb after a heated verbal exchange
Cavin has now taken to Facebook to give his account of the confrontation.
According to Cavin, tensions rose when Newcomb allegedly booed and heckled Kandi Cox, a respected figure in the community, as she approached the microphone.
“Newc, who is easily 6’3″ or taller and weighs over 350 pounds, yelled, cursed, and flipped off several attendees at the meeting, specifically targeting a woman named Kandi Cox,” Cavin wrote.
“If you don’t know Kandi, she is an amazing woman who is doing wonders in our state and she is loved in the community.”
Witnesses claim Newcomb yelled, “Go polish your nose ring” and made insulting gestures.
“During the meeting, Kandi walked up to the microphone to make a motion from the floor. Newc and others at his table began to berate and bully Kandi, who happens to be wearing a nose ring. Newc even went so far as to give her the finger and yell, ‘Go polish your nose ring.'”
The situation escalated when Cox stepped behind the microphone again later in the meeting.
Cavin said he intervened when Newcomb began to intimidate the woman.
According to Cavin, tensions rose when Newcomb allegedly booed and heckled Kandi Cox, a respected figure in the community, as she approached the microphone
Cavin, who is said to be 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds, claims he acted in “self-defense” against the “huge” Newcomb, whom he estimates to be a much younger and stronger man in his 30s.
Cavin claims he does not advocate violence, but that it was necessary as a “last resort in defense of myself and others.”
Cavin reports that Newcomb began staring at Cox in an “intimidating manner” as she walked by.
‘I was standing in the back of the room and when I saw what [Newcomb] was doing, I told [Newcomb] “not to look at her but to look at me and leave her alone,” Cavin wrote on Facebook. “I was hoping this would ease the tension [Sp] the situation.
However, tensions rose when Newcomb allegedly walked up to Cavin and asked, “What you gonna do, boy?”
“I was standing in the back of the room and when I saw what Newc was doing, I went to Kandi’s side and told Newc not to look at her, to look at me and to leave her alone.”
Cavin reports that Newcomb began staring at Cox in an “intimidating manner” as she walked by
However, tensions rose when Newcomb allegedly walked up to Cavin and asked, “What you gonna do, boy?”
“I was hoping to distract him from Kandi and that would calm things down. Then Newc came up to me and said, ‘What are you going to do, boy?’
“I am 62 years old, 5’10” tall and 190 lbs. As I said before, Newc is a huge man and looks to be in his 30s. The look on his face, I knew I was in danger and I had a feeling Kandi and others were too.”
Video footage captured Cavin assuming a defensive stance and warning Newcomb to retreat.
As Newcomb advanced, Cavin delivered the blow that caused Newcomb to bleed.
‘As he approached, I prepared myself by taking a defensive position and telling him to stop. He was unfazed, however, and raised my hand to stop him again.’
“But he kept coming, I couldn’t stop him and when he came at me I knew I had no choice but to defend myself in the hopes of not getting hurt or worse. Luckily it paid off, except I hurt my shoulder from the punches.”
Cavin claims he does not advocate violence, but believes it was necessary “as a last resort in defense of myself and others.”
“To be clear, I do not advocate violence. However, I believe that violence is a last resort in defense of myself and others, as is our right under Arkansas law. If I had not acted to defend myself, I and others could have been seriously injured.”
“My attorney spoke to several individuals who were present last night and they all reported feeling threatened by Newc. Newc approached my attorney and also attempted to fight him after I left the building.”
The woman with the nose ring later thanked Cavin on social media for defending her.
No charges have been filed so far.