State lawmaker condemns violence during protest at Cedar Point development

CEDAR POINT, N.C. (WITN) - An Eastern Carolina lawmaker today condemned what he called violence directed toward Native Americans at Cedar Point on Sunday.

State Rep. Ed Goodwin says the group was performing a prayer ceremony in the Bridge View community where new homes are being built. Others called it a peaceful protest after a major Native American archaeological find was unearthed at the development site.

Carteret County deputies say a resident was stabbed in the arm by a small pocket knife. But at least one American Indian group says the problems escalated when one of the residents was armed with a gun as well as an off-duty police officer showed up as they were concluding their prayer service.

Goodwin, who is a former NCIS special agent, says it was a “peaceful and legal gathering” until homeowners verbally abused the group. He said, “one man pulled a gun on a Tuscarora woman and allegedly an off-duty Onslow County deputy sheriff arrived and physically assaulted another woman, her 17-year-old niece and 21-year-old son.”

The Republican lawmaker from Edenton says all three received medical attention.

“This cannot stand, and I will not rest until justice has been served to the ones who deserve it,” said Goodwin. “I call on all the good and decent people of North Carolina to stand up on the right side of history and the law.”

Since the archaeological discovery, further construction has been halted. An Onslow County lawmaker tried unsuccessfully to get a bill through the legislature that would make it more difficult to stop construction when artifacts are discovered.

The sheriff’s office says there were numerous participants and witnesses to the fight. They say more interviews need to be conducted and deputies are also reviewing video of what happened.

Deputies say once they complete the investigation, information will be given to the District Attorney’s Office for charging decisions.