Wave of violence tied to face masks, store closures, and social distancing rules
May 20, 2020
thetrace.org – Since March, state and local governments across the country have instituted a slew of public closures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The policies have shuttered businesses and prevented public gatherings, but have also engendered a new category of violence.
May 15, Flint, Michigan
A security guard at a liquor store shot a customer in the ankle after the man reportedly struck him several times in frustration over the store’s pandemic-imposed occupancy limits.
May 14, Aurora, Colorado
An employee at a Waffle House was shot and wounded after confronting a customer who refused to wear a mask. Police arrested Kelvin Watson and charged him with attempted first-degree murder.
May 12, San Antonio, Texas
A bus driver turned away a licensed concealed carrier for trying to board the bus without a mask, a local news outlet reported. The man proceeded to shoot and critically injure a passenger who came out to confront him.
May 7, Lexington, Mississippi
A police officer was shot and wounded while responding to a report that people were not socially distancing at a party. Three men were arrested.
May 6, Oklahoma City
An employee at a McDonald’s was shot and two other employees were wounded when a customer opened fire after being told the dining area was closed because of coronavirus restrictions.
May 1, Flint, Michigan
Calvin Munerlyn, 43, a security guard at a Dollar General store, was fatally shot after denying entry to a woman whose daughter was not wearing a face mask. Police arrested the woman, her husband, and a suspected accomplice.
April 22, Atlanta
De’onte Roberts, 16, was shot and killed during a fight with his stepfather, who refused to let the teen back home after he’d allegedly violated Georgia’s stay-at-home order. The man, 42, was charged with murder … Read more.
