Antioch mayor physically attacked at event; witness says he was 'shoved really hard' under neck
ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe says he was physically attacked at an event Tuesday afternoon. Police are now investigating.
The tensions seemed to escalate Tuesday night at the Antioch City Council meeting.
Numerous individuals were thrown out of the Antioch City Council meeting Tuesday night as tensions continued to flare in the community over numerous issues.
Heated moments came just hours after Mayor Thorpe reported being attacked by someone at a public event earlier Tuesday.
MORE: Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe apologizes after being cited for DUI by CHP
"Gentleman hit me like that, some type of altercation earlier, very disappointing experience. I was exceptionally blown away by his behavior," said Thorpe.
Antioch District 1 Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker described what she witnessed, saying it was a physical attack on the mayor that came after he gave a speech at a luncheon hosted by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.
"It just happened instantly. He raised up his hand and just shoved the mayor really hard under his neck, and then before we could react, me and the other lady who was there, the gentleman raised his hand again and the mayor grabbed his wrist. I was like 'wow he really just attacked the mayor,'" said Torres-Walker.
Police say the incident is under investigation and no arrests have been made, but extra security was on hand at this meeting.
VIDEO: Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe apologizes after being cited for DUI by CHP
The were tension at Tuesday's city council meeting, centering around ongoing investigations into possible misconduct within the Antioch Police Department and possible sexual harassment by Mayor Thorpe. Claims that Thorpe denies.
Thorpe says he believes there are racial undertones here as police reforms and other measures are taking place within the city.
"Individuals in our community are just upset about the progress we're making and the fact that we're enfranchising people's voices who haven't been enfranchised before," said Thorpe.
"Some of it is fear and some of it is absolutely undertones of racism," says Torres-Walker.
We were unable to speak with the man accused of attacking the mayor and at this point, police haven't said if they've made contact with him.
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