Man seen in video throwing punch during Saline Co. Republican meeting says he ‘feared for his life’

SALINE COUNTY, Ark. – Chaos erupted at a Saline County Republican Committee meeting Thursday night after one man threw a punch at another man.

Video of the altercation shows conservative activist Jimmie Cavin in a pink shirt throwing a punch at another man identified as Jon Newcomb, who is a member of the Saline County Republicans.

Cavin claimed in a statement that the punch he threw was in defense of a woman at the meeting as well as self-defense, as he “feared for his life.” He also noted that he is not sorry for throwing the punch.

“I also want to make crystal clear that if anyone doesn’t like or has a problem with what I did then please pay particular attention to the following – I…..DO…..NOT…..CARE…..PERIOD,” Cavin wrote in the statement.

Another person attending the meeting, who did not want to be identified, noted that they wanted to make clear the other side of the argument, which is that the woman Cavin said Newcomb was intimidating bumped into another woman, and Newcomb was walking back.

The attendee added that while Newcomb might have intimidated Cavin because of his size, no one was expecting Cavin to throw a punch or felt it was appropriate.

That person added that Newcomb put his middle finger up sometime in this meeting before the fight.

Saline County Judge Matt Brumley, who was at the meeting, said he and other elected officials are mortified by the altercation.

“We’re better than this,” Brumley said. “This is heartbreaking.”

Brumley was emotional during an interview with FOX 16 News, explaining his disgust at the actions Thursday night.

“You know I don’t typically come out and just give statements. This is worthy of an apology to people that they had to see it,” Brumley said “We’re better than that and we’re going to prove it.”

Brumley and other Saline County elected officials later released a statement condemning the actions at the meeting Thursday night and calling on the Republican Party of Arkansas to remove the committee’s leadership and abolish the committee. Cavin’s attorney, Clint Lancaster, said they wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

Jon Newcomb shared a statement with KARK 4 News later Friday night.

“I was violently attacked yesterday by Jimmie Cavin at the Saline County Republican Committee meeting in an unprovoked and crazed fashion, as anyone who watches the video on YouTube can see. As I walked towards Cavin, who isn’t a member of the committee and was there simply agitating, I never raised my hands and presented no threat whatsoever. Nonetheless, Cavin sucker punched me in the head and continued to assault me thereafter. It’s my hope that our police and county prosecutor Chris Walton will fully prosecute this vicious violence in our community to protect us from this kind of unhinged dangerousness. Our families deserve to be protected.”

Jon Newcomb

The Saline County Republican Committee shared a statement on Friday evening saying the committee “does not condone or tolerate violence.”

Cavin is not facing any charges currently, though there was a police presence after the meeting Thursday.

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