The FBI is now involved in the investigation after a woman was beaten outside Whiskey J’s nightclub in Longview by a group chanting “Free Karmelo” — and online threats of retaliation have prompted federal attention, the Longview Police Department said.
Longview Police Department Public Information Officer LaDarian Brown announced the FBI’s involvement at a news conference, citing social media posts calling for violence. “We’re aware of social media conversations concerning retaliation, division and attacks between members of our community,” Brown said. “Those statements are being reviewed seriously.”
Brown added there is no current threat to the public.
The arrest
Longview police have arrested one person so far: Ciarrianne Fuller, 21, of Longview. She faces assault charges and was booked into jail on a $20,000 bond.
The victim told investigators the group said they were going to target the smallest white girl they could find. Police are still working to identify other suspects involved in the attack.
Background
The chants reference Karmelo Anthony, who was convicted of killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco last year. Since his conviction, Anthony has drawn a vocal online following that disputes the jury’s verdict — and the Longview assault appears tied to that movement.
How many additional suspects police are pursuing, and whether federal charges will follow, hasn’t been announced.
