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Sacramento mayor and ex-NBA'er Kevin Johnson involved in alleged pie assault

Kelly Dwyer
Kevin Johnson wears the purple. (Getty Images)
Kevin Johnson wears the purple. (Getty Images)

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson’s infamous political career dove headfirst into the theatre of the absurd on Wednesday, when the former NBA legend allegedly pummeled a protestor who threw a pie in his face at a local farm-to-table function.

(The preceding paragraph has been re-read and re-written, edited for accuracy, and yeah; all of this apparently happened.)

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From Nick Miller at the East Bay Express:

Sources in attendance have told the Express that, during the meal, a protester ran at the mayor and threw a store-bought pie in his face.

A different witness said that the pie had whipped cream as a topping.

After this, the protester reportedly said something to Johnson. This prompted the mayor to allegedly tackle the protester and punch him in the face “repeatedly,” more than half a dozen times, landing “five to 10” blows.

One witness described it as a “bloody pulp.” Other witnesses say that the pie-thrower was hit multiple times in the face and will definitely need stitches, and that there was visible blood.

Ambulances and fire department arrived at the scene.

Sacramento Police released a statement that 32-year-old Sean Thompson was arrested for felony assault of a public official.

From the Sacramento Bee:

“During the assault, the subject sustained a minor injury and was transported by the Sacramento Fire Department to a local hospital for treatment,” the police statement said.

[Johnson spokeswoman Crystal] Strait said the mayor was talking to dinner guests when a man approached him from the side, grabbed him by the arm, yanked him off balance and slammed a pie into his face.

“He brought (the pie) with him. He pulled it out of a bag,” she said.

A brief scuffle ensued. “It was a blur,” she said.

Online reports suggested the mayor hit back. Strait confirmed that was true.

She said Johnson didn’t realize he was being hit with a pie. “The mayor just felt he was being punched in the face,” she said.

Strait continued:

“Let me be clear, the mayor was assaulted tonight,” said spokeswoman Crystal Strait. “He is home with his family…The whole thing is just shocking.”

Later in the evening, the former NBA All-Star sent out this tweet:

The alleged pie-thrower and pummelee’s mug shot can be found at either of the above newspaper links, or here.

According to Miller at the East Bay Express, Thompson has a history of engaging with Johnson at Sacramento City Council meetings.

Earlier this year, Johnson announced he would not be running for a third team as mayor in the wake of scandals that included a horrific sexual abuse charge, and alleged misuse of public funds.

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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!