Dallas police are investigating a physical fight that broke out between candidates for Dallas County commissioner at a Gospel radio station Monday.
Police spent several hours at Dallas’ KHVN after a heated argument between longtime Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and former city council member Dwaine Caraway that centered on an alleged relationship between Price and Caraway’s wife, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Two other candidates were also at the station to discuss the race and debate issues – Micah B. Phillips and Balch Springs Mayor Cedric Davis – and Phillips recorded the altercation and provided video to police and media.
WFAA reports the fight broke out during a commercial break in the radio program, and the video shows several staffers working to hold back Caraway as he pushes to get to Price while hurling profane threats and allegations.
“I’m tired of you … You (expletive) my house,” Caraway said as he was ushered from the room. “I’m gonna get you.”
A woman in the room is heard yelling “What is wrong with y’all … this is a gospel radio station.
“You get out of my office,” she said.
Caraway is eventually hauled to a nearby office.
Of course, opinions vary on what sparked the dispute.
Caraway told the Dallas Morning News Price started the altercation when a Caraway political ad came on during a commercial in the program.
“Well, (Price) was cursing at me when the mics were off,” Caraway told WFAA.
He alleged Price grabbed Caraway campaign worker George Nash – “the smallest person in the room” – by the neck.
“He grabbed him by the throat, choking him, scratching him on the throat and his arm,” Caraway said. “A deranged, indicted person put his hands on a 115-pound young man.”
Price is currently under federal indictment on corruption charges. Caraway didn’t want to discuss the personal matter between his “wife” and Price.
“It’s unclear what Caraway was referring to. Caraway has been married twice. His first marriage ended in 1994. He is currently married to former State Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway, who is running to unseat U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson,” according to the Morning News.
Nash said he tried to hold back Price as others restrained Caraway.
“As I was doing that, John reaches around and grabs my neck,” Nash told KXAS. “I knock his hand down. That’s where these scars came from. And then he grabs my arm and pulls me and scratches my arm and tries to throw me up against the wall out of the way.”
Phillips told WFAA Price put his hands on Nash to keep him away, and did not assault him.
“He got into Commissioner Price’s comfort zone,” he said. “It was an embarrassment to our community.”
Phillips also alleged Caraway threatened to kill Price.
Caraway alleges Price threatened to kill him.
KHVN News Director Robert Ashley told the Morning News he was in the sound booth when the altercation first broke out, but it appeared Price was defending himself when he rushed in.
“We’re kind of embarrassed to see something like this,” he said.
Someone called police shortly before 1 p.m. and they spent most of the day at the radio station sorting out the details of the fight. They’re now interviewing everyone involved and reviewing video.
Phillips said Balch Springs may Cedric Davis also injured his finger in the scuffle.
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