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A routine city council meeting in Spavinaw, Oklahoma descended into violence last week when local officials became hostile toward citizens, leading to physical confrontations and ultimately a loaded firearm being brandished outside the building. The entire sequence was captured on video, revealing a disturbing pattern of aggression by city leadership toward residents asking questions.
The Mayor's Warning Sets the Tone
From the moment journalist entered the meeting, it was clear officials had prepared for his arrival. Mayor Amanda Miller immediately launched into a speech about how questions would be handled, warning that anyone told to stop speaking "must stop or you will be removed." The heavy-handed approach signaled trouble ahead.
The meeting proceeded with little public input, as officials had apparently pre-decided their agenda items. When they reached the executive session to discuss suing local citizens over open records requests, they forced everyone out of the building, including blocking access to public restrooms in apparent violation of open meeting laws.
Citizens Sued for Requesting Public Records
Outside during the closed session, citizens revealed the shocking reason for the litigation discussion. Four residents, including Cindy and Mike Bradford, had been sued by the city simply for filing open records requests. Despite ultimately receiving some of the requested documents, the citizens were never reimbursed for attorney fees after the city's unsuccessful lawsuit.
One sued resident explained that officials claimed the records requests were designed "to impede the city and keep them from doing their job" and were "overwhelming them." The retaliation against citizens exercising their legal rights to government transparency set the stage for the evening's escalating tensions.
A Simple Question Triggers the Mayor's Rage
When the meeting resumed, the mayor mentioned someone named "Jot Hartley" that the journalist couldn't hear clearly. He quietly leaned back to ask a fellow citizen for clarification. Mayor Miller exploded, banging her gavel and threatening removal for the minor interaction.
"That gavel doesn't give you so much power," the journalist responded after being told he was being "disruptive" for asking a simple question. The mayor's overreaction to normal public meeting behavior revealed an official completely intolerant of any citizen engagement she couldn't control.
City Attorney's Threat Backfires Spectacularly
After the meeting, city attorney delivered remarks about enforcing settlement agreements and suing citizens who violated gag orders. When approached for his business card, the attorney initially complied until the journalist mentioned he was "having a bad day" and would "know real soon."
The attorney's response was immediate and physical. He got up, got in the journalist's face, and began bumping into him while becoming increasingly aggressive. The confrontation escalated when a toothless city councilor joined in, claiming he was being blocked from leaving despite having multiple exit routes available.
The Councilor's Assault and Armed Response
The situation exploded when the councilor confronted another citizen named Jeff, belly-bumping him in an clear assault. Jeff, exercising his legal right to self-defense in Oklahoma, pushed back forcefully. The councilor was sent stumbling backward several feet.
As the verbal argument continued outside, a man identified as "Taco" reached into his pocket and withdrew a small derringer-style revolver. The weapon had no trigger guard and appeared to be cocked as Taco held it at his side, pointed in Jeff's direction. Multiple witnesses immediately recognized the felony brandishing of a firearm.
The Moment Everything Changes
The video captures the exact moment the gun appears, with voices immediately calling for Taco to put the weapon away. "That's a felony," someone shouts as tension fills the air outside the government building. The loaded weapon in the hands of an agitated man created a terrifying situation that could have turned deadly in seconds.
What happened when deputies arrived? Did they arrest Taco for brandishing the firearm? How did city officials try to spin the night's events when law enforcement took their statements?
Watch the complete unedited footage to see how this dangerous confrontation at a public meeting finally resolved.
