Politics

VIDEO: Eric Thompson talks about Palin's involvement in a house party fight

So far, Eric Thompson is the only witness to speak on the record with news media about a house party brawl in Anchorage that featured Alaska's most famous political family, the Palins.

"I didn't understand what was going to happen, and it just blew up," Thompson said.

In an interview at attorney Kevin Fitzgerald's office on Monday, Thompson gave his account of the evening and what happened once it became a national story. Police said roughly 20 people were involved. Police spokesperson Jennifer Castro confirmed that members of the Palin family were at the party, and said alcohol was a factor in the fight. Nobody involved in the fight had wanted to press charges, Castro wrote.

The party was held at the home of Korey Klingenmeyer, officer manager for McKenna Bros. Paving. Around 70 people had gathered to celebrate the birthday of Marc and Matthew McKenna, owners of the company, Thompson said. Todd Palin, a friend of the McKenna's and fellow Iron Dog racer, was also celebrating his birthday.

The Palins showed up in a stretch limo Hummer around 8:30 or 9 p.m., Thompson said. The family was mingling with other guests, and there didn't appear to be any animosity between party-goers, he said.

READ MORE: Palin brawl eyewitness talks about aftermath, crowdfunding video

Watch this video on Vimeo or YouTube, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great videos. Contact Tara Young at tara(at)alaskadispatch.com.

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