GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – After being continually interrupted when answering a question, ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard walked out of a public forum addressing race. It was a move one community member called highly disrespectful.

Greenville Mayor Pro Tem Kandi Smith had called a community forum following the assault of a black man by four white individuals. The victim, Patrick Myrick, had first struck a female outside of Club 519 in Uptown on St. Patrick’s Day.

Myrick is now also facing charges for hitting the female.

Following the incident, one ECU police officer was put on investigative leave after handcuffing Myrick, and allowing the suspects to walk away.

“We’re here because a black man was brutally beaten by a group of white people,” said Don Cavellini, with the Coalition Against Racism.

Despite ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard saying race could have played a factor in the incident, Greenville Police Chief Mark Holtzman said there was no evidence to support ethnic intimidation.

One of the major concerns expressed during the forum was the fact it took nearly a week before the events were made public.

“I found out about this on Facebook. Seven days after it took place,” said Norma Warren.

ECU officials said they thought Greenville Police were notifying the necessary people in the city. During the meeting, city officials admitted there was miscommunication.

“The city council and our senior staff, we had a breakdown,” said Greenville City Councilman Rick Smiley.

Another concern voiced was the fact no ECU alert was sent out to the campus community the night of the incident.

“There’s no reason at all, there’s no excuse at all, for an ECU alert not to have been sent out to every student on that campus. There’s no excuse,” said one upset student.

Towards the end of the meeting, leaders and the community began talking about ways to solve problems like this to prevent them from happening again. Some of the solutions voiced were listening to the youth, hiring more minority police officers, and ensuring club and bar owners in Uptown Greenville were promoting an environment that was welcoming for everyone.

Several people had voiced concerns about minorities not feeling welcomed by many clubs in Uptown.

Chief Holtzman said this is a time that is going to show what the community is made of, as they still search for the fourth suspect in this case.