State Rep. Johnny Shaw shares his side following incident with reporter

JACKSON, Tenn. — One local lawmaker discusses the events that led to a verbal altercation between himself and a reporter.

Tennessee State Representative Johnny Shaw was recorded in a video, now posted on social media by reporter Justin Kanew, making a threat towards Kanew. Shaw shares his story and has since apologized.

“The stupidest thing I did, and I don’t mind telling you that was stupid on my part,” said Shaw.

On Tuesday, March 18 Justin Kanew, with the Tennessee Holler, shared a post of a verbal altercation between the two. Prior to the video being filmed, Shaw agreed to signing a bill that he shares would support his constituents.

“This little happy Tennessee Holler guy — he’s standing over there wondering why I vote for the rich against the poor,” said Shaw.

Shaw alleges that this reporter has been asking him for an interview for some time now.

“I’ve been ignoring him all year. He has been pestering me all year long,” said Shaw.

After leaving the chamber, the reporter allegedly wouldn’t let Shaw leave without answering his question.

“When I would not answer him, he jumped in front of me, which you didn’t see that part, and was going to demand that I talk to him and tell him why I voted for that bill,” said,” said Shaw.

Shaw then says he told Kanew to move out of his way, and then Kanew began to follow him.

“And I said you better move out of my way. By that time, he stepped beside and got behind me [and] started following me,” said Shaw.

However, after that moment, Shaw then lost his patience.

“At some point my strain just broke. I turned around and I pointed my finger at him, and that is what you saw. And I said ‘You better get out of my face or I am going to knock you down.’ He said ‘Is that a threat?’ I said ‘Yes, that’s a threat’ and at that moment I meant every word,” said Shaw.

After the video was posted, his staff received calls and he has since apologized to those that support him.

“After that, I’ve apologized to my family, my constituents, my church because that’s not me,” said Shaw.

However, he has not apologized to Kanew and instead reported the matter.

“I did not. I filed a complaint against him. I think he filed one [too], but the complaint says he can’t talk to me and I don’t talk to him,” said Shaw.

Shaw still believes that the bill he voted for was in his districts best interests. Kanew has posted his side of the incident on his Instagram.

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