By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
City officials say a meeting dealing with fallout from an Aug. 28 brawl at a night club produced a good discussion but no changes in direction.
Mayor Susan Kluttz said the city began an investigation of possible police misconduct shortly after the incident and the investigation is continuing.
“We saw the video and heard of the incident immediately after it happened. We began an immediate investigation and called in the SBI,” Kluttz said Wednesday, following the meeting. “This meeting was not necessary for that action.”
Officer Kareem Puranda has been on paid leave since the incident. Various recordings of the La Bamba brawl show Puranda striking a man who has been identified as John Allen Fox, and choking a woman.
John C. Barnette, the founder of a Gastonia-based organization True Healing Under God (THUG), who is organizing a Justice Rally Thursday evening, said his goal continues to be to expose what happened.
Barnette said he showed the recording of the incident to the group of city officials and ministers. He said from looking at their facial expressions, “they weren’t too happy.
“Several people are coming to me saying they want him (Puranda) removed,” Barnette said following the meeting.
Barnette said his client, Miss Sullivan, the woman who the officer appears to be choking, was scheduled to meet with lawyers later Wednesday. “We’re going to negotiate which lawyer,” Barnette said.
He added that the Fox brothers, John Allen Fox and Michael Jeffrey Fox, are getting separate attorneys.
The brothers, along with the woman, will be at the rally at 7 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 317 S. Caldwell St.
Barnette said the rally will include Livingstone College students, THUG members from Rock Hill, S.C., Charlotte and Gastonia, and concerned citizens.
Kluttz said the meeting was arranged at the request of the Rev. Olen Bruner, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, who contacted her earlier in the week.
Kluttz invited several prominent ministers who have worked for years with the city on various projects related to race relations, gangs and improving neighborhoods.
The Rev. Nilous Avery of Mount Zion Baptist Church, the Rev. Grant Harrison of Soldiers Memorial AME Zion, the Rev. Clary Phelps, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, and the Rev. Henry Diggs, Faith Temple Triumphant Ministry were at the meeting.
City Manager David Treme and Police Chief Mark Wilhelm also attended.
Barnette, who arrived at the Tuesday press conference 45 minutes late, citing Charlotte traffic problems, was an hour late getting to the meeting with city officials Tuesday.
Kluttz said the group had a good discussion and she was “happy for Barnette to see the type of leadership we have in this community.”
Kluttz said the pastors and pastors throughout the community know that if they have a problem or complaint they can call her immediately.
“We’re a small town, we work closely together,” said Kluttz. “Maybe we’re different from the other communities he visits.”
“He (Barnette) indicated his role is to start the process … we assured him the process began two weeks ago,” Kluttz said.