TEXAS CITY, Texas – Tempers boiled red hot Sunday night on the steps of the police department days after 20-year-old Carlton Wayne Smith was shot to death by Texas City Police Officer Christopher Ham.
Smith was shot five times after police said he was seen firing into a crowd outside H.T.'s Lounge early Friday morning.
Community activist Quanell X called a press conference Sunday night with Smith's family and friends on the steps of the Texas City Police Department.
At the same time, a group of about 30 supporters of the police department showed up and one man began revving the engine on his motorcycle to drown out what Quanell X was saying.
That's when tempers flared and shouting erupted from both sides, with each group hurling curse words at the other.
"Why don't you take your people somewhere else? We don't want you here," one man yelled.
Soon there were screaming matches and some shoving and pushing.
Smith's brother, Brian Garrett, told Local 2 News, "This is not about race. The racist thing, the racism card, should be thrown out the window because I feel like if a white man got killed at the club, we'd be out here protesting for them too."
"We want the actual video tape from the nightclub released to the public. We want the truth," Quanell X said.
Related: Family speaks out after police shooting in Texas City
On the other side, police supporters said they came to stand up for the Texas City Police Department and the officer involved in the shooting.
"We're here to show support for our local law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line," said Robert Redmond, a Texas City resident.
"This was my baby brother. We want that video. It's not about racism," Garrett said, wearing a white shirt with his brother's picture on the front.