The former NBA player-turned-mayor had never met the man before.
A man was arrested Wednesday night after he struck Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in the face with a pie at a charity event.
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Johnson, a former NBA star, was speaking at a dinner for Seeds of HOPE at a charter school in the city when 32-year-old Sean Thompson struck the mayor in the face with a pie, authorities say.
A scuffle ensued between Johnson and Thompson, where witnesses say the mayor punched the man in the face multiple times.
"During the assault, the subject sustained a minor injury and was transported by the Sacramento Fire Department to a local hospital for treatment," Sacramento police said in a statement.
Thompson was arrested on felony charges of assaulting a public official.
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Following the incident, the mayor took to Twitter to tweet that he was doing “fine” and thanked the police who came to his rescue.
Appreciate everyone. I'm doing fine. Thank you to Sac PD for being there. Be safe everyone.
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) September 22, 2016
It has been reported that Thompson and Johnson, who spent the majority of his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, do not know each other on personal terms.
Speaking to CBS News following the incident, the mayor’s chief of staff, Crystal Strait, said: “The mayor was assaulted. I was standing right there and I’m still pretty shaken up."
On Thursday, Thompson spoke from the Sacramento County Jail to the Sacramento Bee to defend his actions.
“He had a lot of opportunities to help people and he hasn’t taken any of them,” Thompson said.
Thompson claims the mayor has not focused his attention to the right areas for the last eight years.
He also said that: “Pie-throwing was the least violent action I could take.”
When asked if he would do it again, Thompson said: “Absolutely. I would do it twice.”
Thompson has not entered a plea and has not been arraigned. It is unclear if he has legal representation.
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