Arrest Records Reveal Chilling Details in Viral Longview Bar Assault Case

A Parking Lot Attack That Shocked the Nation

The alleged assault reportedly occurred outside Whiskey J's nightclub in Longview during the early morning hours of June 21. What began as a night out quickly turned violent — and the details now emerging from arrest warrant affidavits are deeply disturbing. The case has drawn national attention because the victim, Sammie Howery, wrote on social media that the women said "Free Karmelo" before she was assaulted and said the assailants were targeting "the smallest white girl they could find."

According to an arrest affidavit, a person working security for Whiskey J's saw a large crowd gathering in the parking lot. The security worker told investigators he heard someone from that crowd say, "the next white [expletive] that walks out, I'm going to hit her." The affidavit states the security worker then saw the victim walk through the parking lot before she was assaulted by a group of women believed to be from the same crowd. The security worker helped break up the assault and get the victim away from the crowd. The victim reported having injuries to the back of her head and her right eye, court documents say.

Three Charged, Social Media Played a Key Role

Ciarrianne Fuller, 21, of Longview, Dejae Brown, 21, of Pittsburg, and Alana Mumphrey, 21, of Longview, are charged with assault causing bodily injury in connection with the assault in the parking lot at Whiskey J's bar. The two were booked into the Gregg County Jail and later released on $20,000 bond each. Fuller had been arrested on June 23, while Brown and Mumphrey voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement on June 25.

After the June 21 assault, the injured Longview woman gave police two Instagram handles believed to be tied to the suspects. Authorities traced the handles and identified Fuller and Brown, the affidavit states. In a further interview that night, the victim named Fuller, Brown and Mumphrey as the assailants. Investigators then dug deeper into the suspects' digital footprints — and what they found was telling. A post by Brown made June 10 read: "takin fades for Karmelo all day today, MOBILE." The phrase "taking fades" is a slang term connected with fights.

During the investigation, detectives obtained a text message thread that included a video of the assault that had circulated online. According to the affidavit, one of the suspects wrote, "we shouldn't have done that [expletive] bro..." Police noted in the affidavit that "the conversation then starts talking about someone wanting to fight the girls over (Howery)." The thread also included a message from Brown stating, "We gotta get our story straight friend."

The "Free Karmelo" Connection

The "Free Karmelo" statement refers to Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old Black high school student from North Texas who murdered a white high school student, Austin Metcalf, at a track meet in April 2025. Anthony was found guilty on June 9 and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The case has stirred racial tensions at protests and on social media. Investigators have not announced any evidence confirming that the reported chant reflects the suspects' motive.

Police have also addressed concerns surrounding online discussions about possible retaliation stemming from the incident. During a press briefing, Longview Police spokesperson LaDarian Brown said the department is monitoring social media activity and has been communicating with the FBI regarding online threats. He emphasized that law enforcement has not identified a verified broader threat to the public but warned that any credible threats or attempts to organize violence would be investigated.

The Victim's Message and What Comes Next

On June 26, Howery's attorney, J.D. McMullen with the Texas Resolution PLLC law firm in Longview, said in a statement to media that Howery is recovering from "serious physical injuries and real emotional trauma" and asked that people respect her privacy. McMullen urged people not to "attach labels, motives or broader narratives" to the case. McMullen said Howery condemns violence against all people regardless of race and does not support efforts to divide people along racial lines.

The case remains a flashpoint in a broader national conversation about racial tension and social media's power to inflame it. Longview Police spokesperson LaDarian Brown put it plainly: "We do not, as a community, answer one wrong with another wrong. We don't let anger become retaliation, and we do not let social media become judge and jury." With all three suspects out on bond and the investigation still active, the community — and the country — will be watching closely as prosecutors decide how aggressively to pursue charges and whether the motive