San Jose mayor’s security detail fights off pedestrian in the middle of TV interview as entire four-minute-long brawl is caught on camera
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s security detail was involved in a physical altercation while in town for a restaurant opening.
The altercation broke out while Mahan was being interviewed by a local news station CRON 4. The entire interaction was captured on video.
In the beginning of the video, the pedestrian is seen walking past Mahan’s right shoulder while he is on the phone as he approaches the security detail.
The mayor politely tells the man that he is in the middle of an interview, to which the pedestrian says, “Yeah man, I work there, I was just on the phone, got a problem?”
Mahan’s security detail, an officer with the San Jose Police Department, attempted to de-escalate the situation as the pedestrian became more aggressive.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s security detail (right) was involved in a physical altercation while in town for a restaurant opening
The altercation broke out while Mahan was being interviewed by local news station KRON 4. The entire interaction was captured on video.
The mayor politely tells the man that he is in the middle of an interview, to which the pedestrian says, “Yeah man, I work there, I was just on the phone, got a problem?”
The pedestrian snaps at the officer and tells him to “mind your damn business.”
“I was going to do what the hell I was going to do right before you came to me,” he told the guard.
From that point on, the situation escalated and became physical within seconds. The pedestrian threatened the officer and told him he would punch him.
The brawl continued when the pedestrian delivered a right hand punch to the officer’s head.
Bystanders called police for help and the pedestrian was eventually arrested.
The officer involved in the altercation was injured and taken to hospital, where he remained overnight with head and neck pain.
Video captured by KRON4 is being submitted as evidence to the district attorney’s office, police told the local newspaper.
The mayor was not physically injured during this incident as his security personnel did exactly what they were hired to do.
The suspect was being held at the Santa Clara County Main Jail on multiple charges, including assault on a police officer. The motive has not yet been determined.
Mahan’s office released the following statement about the incident:
“Mayor Matt Mahan is deeply grateful to his security detail and the entire San Jose Police Department.
Mahan’s security detail, a San Jose Police Department officer, attempted to de-escalate the situation when the pedestrian became more aggressive
From that point on, the situation escalated and became physical within seconds
The brawl continued when the pedestrian delivered a right hand punch to the officer’s head
Bystanders called police for help and the pedestrian was eventually arrested
The mayor was not physically injured during this incident as his security officers did exactly what they were hired to do
The suspect was being held at the Santa Clara County Main Jail on multiple charges, including assault on a police officer. The motive has not yet been determined
“The officer’s actions tonight were heroic and a testament to the de-escalation training that makes our officers effective, compassionate and stewards of the community trust. His thoughts are with the officer and he hopes for a speedy recovery.
“The Mayor understands how privileged he is to have an armed officer protecting him at all times, and is steadfast in his commitment to creating a safer city for all.
“That means hiring more police officers and tackling the root causes of crime, including by intervening earlier and more effectively in cycles of addiction, mental illness and violence.”