Video shows Bayou Vista police chief in confrontation with residents at community barbecue

BAYOU VISTA, Texas (KTRK) — A video is gaining momentum online showing a confrontation between Bayou Vista Police Chief Jimmy Gillane and residents trying to host a weekend barbecue.

The video, recorded by resident Ray Stone, shows Chief Gillane arguing with a city councilor before turning his attention to Stone, who is holding the cellphone and recording.

“Can we rent this?” the alderman asks.

“It’s up to the mayor to decide,” the chief said. “Right now, we’re in a state of emergency, so no.”

“When was this filed?” Stone is heard asking.

“I don’t know. I’m not talking to you. You’re a disgrace to me,” the chief replied.

Chief Gillane then approaches Stone, and the two loudly insult each other.

“As a Marine, I’m here. I’m in your shit. You don’t come here to tell me the truth. You’re a piece of shit,” the chief is heard saying.

“The police chief approached a citizen with a gun belt over his head, OK. I didn’t react. I think the chief, and a lot of people think the chief, should be removed from office,” Stone said.

It all started when Philip Sukal and his wife decided to buy some meat and host a community barbecue. The group first set up the tent in the parking lot of Bayou Vista City Hall, then moved to the community pool across the street.

That’s when Chief Gillane arrived, claiming he was following orders from Mayor Paula Eshelman.

“I’m not going to back down. I stand by what I said,” Chief Gillane said Monday in an interview at Bayou Vista City Hall. “My boss gave me a directive and I went down there and asked why they were there.”

“Instead of asking us, ‘What kind of help do you need?’ ‘What do you need to be successful?’ they said no, absolutely not, and when we asked them why, they said it was the mayor who decided it. This activity must be stopped immediately,” Sukal said.

Mayor Eshelman, who was at Bayou Vista City Hall on Monday, remained in her office and did not come out to speak with ABC13.

“Bayou Vista is not usually like this,” Chief Gillane said. “Tempers are flaring.”

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