The Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office confirmed today Columbus Mayor Robert Smith was arrested on assault charges stemming from an altercation with Ward 5 City Councilman Kabir Karriem, Thursday.
Smith, who is charged with misdemeanor simple assault, turned himself in at the Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office at 4:30 this afternoon.
Karriem, who could not be reached for comment, filed an affidavit against the mayor, who he says attacked him during a heated argument at City Hall.
Columbus Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong said he could not elaborate on the incident, but he did say that it was “a very bad situation … absolutely inexcusable.”
According to sources, Karriem sought treatment at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle after the incident, which occurred between 9-9:30 p.m. Baptist officials could not confirm that Karriem went to the hospital.
Smith has been released on bond; his preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 27.
Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John said he turned the matter over to the county for investigation.
“I felt it was the proper thing to do in this situation. That is all I can say about that,” he said.
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