COLUMBUS, Ohio — There are new developments on a confrontation between a Columbus police officer and a man that has sparked controversy.
Video of the officer punching a man has spread across social media, and earlier this week, police released body camera showing the full incident.
Wednesday, the officer and the man who was charged in that incident sat down to talk.
It happened at Family Missionary Baptist Church, facilitated by local church leaders who believe strongly in the power of a conversation.
Pastor Frederick LaMarr leads those at Family Missionary Baptist Church, but he believes his responsibility extends far beyond its walls.
"We can make an impact in here, but the greater impact is out there," LaMarr said.
Ten years ago, moved by a summer of deadly violence, he and others formed Ministries 4 Movement. At the core of their mission is public safety.
"We use our church for mediation. What we normally mediate is between rival gang members or people in the community. Because if someone gets shot, in order that it doesn't escalate — pull them together, pull them together, say, 'Listen, the church is a safe space.'"
Wednesday, for the first time, he offered that safe space to a police officer accused of violence and the man he arrested.
"If I can do it with gang members, why can't I do it with the police and the community?" LaMarr said.
He and other leaders had seen the video of the now-viral confrontation between Officer Anthony Johnson and Jonathan Robinson.
Johnson and other officers were responding to a report of shots fired.
Robinson says he was crossing the street to protect his wife, who was holding their two children, when he ignored officers' commands and was shoved, then punched by Johnson.
"I could give you a whole list of negatives on both sides," said LaMarr. "But the positive is, they're all still alive. And when they're alive, you can live to talk about how we could have done it better."
LaMarr says the discussion wasn't about the incident itself, but about each side hearing the other.
"On the police side, there's procedures. When we come to a shots fired scene, they come with guns drawn. Do I agree with that? No, I don't agree with it, but I haven't been through police academy. So, help us understand the procedure. And I want them to help you understand culture. So, if I feel that my children — my family's life is in danger — it's my job to step up as protector."
He says the conversation may not be the solution, but it was a start.
"This is what I want young people to see. If you got a disagreement, somebody got to bring it together, we got to sit down and talk it out. Whether it's police and community, whether it's north side/east side, we sitting down talking about it. That's how you get things done."
Columbus police say they are investigating all aspects of this incident, but Police Chief Thomas Quinlan said his preliminary viewing of it is that Johnson was protecting bystanders.
Johnathan Robinson meanwhile is charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing official business.
Columbus police posted this statement to Facebook about the meeting:
"Thank you Pastor LaMarr for bringing 2 sides together for 1 purpose. These gentlemen were learning, understanding, growing from each other in the church yesterday afternoon."
10TV was not able to reach Jonathan Robinson for comment on the meeting.
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