Statesville City Councilman Claims Argument Turned Physical

An argument between two Statesville City Council members became heated on Monday. One  councilman says the argument turned physical and left him injured.

The alleged incident between Statesville councilmen Roy West and Jarrod Phifer happened Monday evening during a closed-door meeting.

Phifer, through personal injury attorney Todd Hollis, says he was left with a broken knee and sprained thumb.

West says he was angry with Phifer and they exchanged words, but denies that a physical altercation took place. He says he told Phifer he "didn't appreciate" an opinion piece Phifer wrote for a local newspaper in which Phifer called him an "elderly, privileged, bitter, bigoted man."

A criminal summons taken out by private warrant was served Tuesday morning on West for misdemeanor assault, battery, and communicating threats.

Wes says he apologized to the council after the meeting, and that he hopes the issue will be resolved.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.