Assault Outside Texas Bar Sparks Controversy
An alleged victim of a physical assault outside a Texas bar reported that her attackers shouted, “Release Carmelo!” Three women have now been charged with assault in connection with this incident, according to local reports.
The phrase “Free Carmelo” seems to be linked to Carmelo Anthony, a man recently sentenced to 35 years for killing Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in April 2025.
According to the Gregg County Jail records, Kialian Fuller (21), Alana Mumphrey (25), both from Longview, and Dejay Sharyn Brown (26) from Pittsburgh are facing charges of assault and battery.
Fuller was arrested on Tuesday, while Brown and Mumphrey surrendered to authorities on Thursday. All three were later released on $20,000 bail.
The victim, identified as Sammy Lee on social media, claimed she was attacked by a group of women as she left Whiskey Jay’s in Longview on a date between June 20 and June 21. In her post, she mentioned that the women yelled, “Free Carmelo,” and implied the assailants were targeting “the smallest white girl they could find.”
Lee indicated she had no prior interactions with the women before the assault, and she shared images of her injuries online.
Local police have been contacted for more details and to clarify whether they can confirm the victim’s claims about the attackers’ shouts or the motivations behind the assault, but they haven’t responded immediately.
Longview Police Department authorities noted they are coordinating with the FBI due to online discussions that may involve threats of retaliation and tensions in the community.
Authorities are taking any credible threats seriously and will investigate such matters thoroughly.
Inevitably, racial tensions are surrounding the Anthony case, which has gained attention for over a year now. In the wake of Metcalf’s killing, supporters of Anthony made strong statements on social media, with some suggesting that Metcalf “got what he deserved.” A spokesperson for Anthony previously called for action against “white supremacy,” reacting to the indictment last year.
The proceedings of Anthony’s trial have also raised eyebrows—prosecutors rejected all potential Black jurors, with a prospective juror openly stating the difficulty of sending a Black man to jail. After Anthony’s conviction, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett made a pointed remark about the differences in experiences between Black families and the Metcalf family.
Overall, this incident is part of a complex backdrop of social issues that continue to influence community relations in the wake of tragic events.
