by Charlie O. Mallonee
On Wednesday night, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson was speaking at a charity dinner for his St. Hope Education Foundation when everything took an incredible twist of fate. A man ran at the mayor as he was speaking and hit Johnson in the face with pie.
Johnson reacted and took the assailant to the ground and at least one punch was thrown by the mayor and former NBA star before his security guard subdued the subject. Bystanders – attendees at the dinner – also assisted in taking down the suspect.
Johnson was not injured in the attack but was shaken and did have to change into a sweatshirt before continuing at the event.
The suspect – Sean Thompson – was taken to a local hospital for treatment according to a police statement. His booking photo shows what appears to be a cut on his left cheek that was treated with stitches.
Thompson told the Sacramento Bee that “Pie throwing was the least violent action I could take.” He also indicated that he would do it again if given the opportunity to do so.
Thompson also said during a telephone interview,”I don’t think that was an appropriate response to a pie to the face.”
Thompson who supposedly has been identified with the Occupy movement was looking to make a statement because he feels that Johnson has been too focused on downtown Sacramento and has not done enough to represent the rest of the people.
Crystal Strait, the mayor’s chief of staff, said, “Let me be clear, the mayor was assaulted.”
Pies in the face of politicians and celebrities has become a more popular form of protest around the world. It can also come with some negative consequences. Just ask Sean Thompson.
Thompson is being held in the Sacramento County Jail on a felony charge of assaulting a public official and misdemeanor charge of battery on school property. The incident took place on the campus of Sacramento High School.
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