Raleigh councilwoman says she was assaulted by mayor's husband

Councilwoman Kay Crowder was among the speakers that night, when the city unveiled the master plan for the park during an elaborate event.

During her remarks showcasing the Dix master plan, Crowder thanked a number of people, but there was no mention of McFarlane, who did not attend the event because she was recovering from a recent surgery.

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The omission of McFarlane from Crowder’s remarks apparently angered the mayor’s husband, Ron, who was seen confronting Crowder after she left the stage.

Bob Edgerton of the Southwest Citizens Advisory Council, which is in Crowder's district, said Thursday that he saw Crowder was in "a heated discussion" with a man he didn't recognize at the time but now knows was Ron McFarlane as Edgerton went to speak with Crowder after her remarks.

“He was holding on her shoulder, shaking her and yelling at her,” Edgerton said. “When one person grabs another, that passes a limit.”

He said no one else apparently saw the incident.

"It happened at the far corner of the room,” he said. “People were close by, but they were interested in the area where the presentations were happening."

“To my knowledge, no one turned around and offered assistance,” he added.

In a statement to WRAL News, Nancy McFarlane wrote that her husband “expressed to council member Crowder how upset he was in a way that I believe was too strongly worded. I’m sure that council member Crowder understands that he was tired and stressed that night.

“Ron has reached out and made numerous attempts to apologize for his behavior. Ron and Kay have known each other over 30 years, and I am sure that they will be able to put this aside,” the mayor said.

WRAL News has reached out to Crowder, but has not received a response.

Raleigh police said no incident reports were filed on Feb. 6 from the Raleigh Convention Center.