Two Brothers Attack Target Security Guard Because He Told Them To Wear A Mask, Guard Leaves With Broken Arm

Two brothers assaulted a Target security guard because he told them to wear their masks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

On May 1, Phillip Hamilton, 31, and Paul Hamilton, 29, had to be escorted off the premises of a Van Nuys, California, Target because they refused to abide by the city’s social distancing orders, which requires you to wear a mask in public. This specific Target location has had its mask policy in place since April 10, but the men weren’t having it. The incident happened around 10:20 a.m.

“As they approached the exit, one of the suspects suddenly and without provocation turned and punched the store employee, causing him and the suspect to fall to the floor,” LAPD spokesman Officer Drake Madison told The Los Angeles Times.

A security camera shows the brothers walking down an aisle when one of the men abruptly punches a guard in the face, knocking him to the floor. Another guard gets involved and shoves the man into some shelves, and then a brawl breaks out. The video shows one guard on the floor clearly in pain; he was taken to the hospital with a broken arm, KCBS reports.

Bossip and the New York Post report the brothers were arrested and charged with felony battery on $50,000 bail; they were released on May 5. A spokesperson for Target said the fight the brothers’ attack was “unfortunate altercation” and that the safety of customers is always the first priority for the company. “We’re grateful for the support of local police, and we’ll provide any information that can be helpful to their investigation,” the statement from Target said.