Pearland police arrested a man accused of threatening community activist Quanell X at a fitness club on Monday.
Hunter Martin Ratliff, 31, is charged with the offense of terrorist threat, a Class B misdemeanor, Pearland Police Department officials said.
Quanell X was working out about 9:30 a.m. Monday at 24-Hour Fitness, in the 10000 block of West Broadway, at the time of the alleged altercation, said police Sgt. Roy Castillo. Castillo said the activist was not physically attacked.
The activist told police that Ratliff made threats and brandished a pocketknife.
"He displayed (the knife) and put it away," Castillo said.
Quanell X said Ratliff told him, " 'I don't like the stuff you say about white people on TV. I don't like your political views.' "
He said the man pulled out a knife, and patrons and staff tackled him and wrenched the knife away from him. He also said the man had seen him about a week earlier at the center and told a trainer that he disliked the community activist.
"I should have been warned," Quanell X said.
The company said staff members notified police of Monday's altercation and are cooperating with investigators, but were not aware of any comments Ratliff might have made about Quanell X earlier.
If convicted, Ratliff faces up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000. He was being held at the Pearland Police Department Jail on $10,000 bail late Monday.
He also said the man had seen him about a week earlier at the center and told a trainer that he disliked the community activist.
"I should have been warned," Quanell X said.
Quanell, I think you don't get it. Millions of people think you are a disgusting pig, with unclean swine reference intentional. Could also be noted that Quanell the tenth cannot have a CHL, since he is a convicted drug dealer.
