THE MANAGER OF A JOHNSON CITY PAWN SHOP IS NOW TELLING HIS SIDE OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BUSINESS EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT SPARKED HOURS OF PROTESTING. ATTORNEY DAN SMITH SAID THERE WAS NO ASSAULT AND NO RACISM IN THE INCIDENT. MEMBERS OF A GROUP KNOWN AS THE NEW PANTHERS WENT TO THE PAWN SHOP TO BUY GUNS. LOVELACE ASKED THEM TO LEAVE BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE WANTED GUNS AT ONE TIME AND THERE WASN’T ENOUGH EMPLOYEES. HE ASKED THEM TO COME IN TWO AT A TIME. ATTORNEY DAN SMITH TOLD NEWS 5……
LOVELACE DENIES GRABBING A WOMAN HE’S ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING, SAYING SHE INSTEAD FELL INTO HIM WHEN SHE PUSHED THROUGH THE DOOR, WHILE HE WAS BLOCKING OTHERS FROM ENTERING.