A man remains hospitalized on Tuesday after an alleged dispute over wearing a face mask in public turned violent.
According to witnesses, a security guard at a Santa Monica Vons supermarket confronted an individual after entering the store on Monday night without a required face covering. The confrontation occurred at around 10:35 p.m. after the customer started to "cause a scene," according to Santa Monica police.
When staff approached the customer and asked him to put on a mask in accordance with Los Angeles County's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, he became "belligerent" and reportedly assaulted an unidentified staff member.
It was at this point that the security guard intervened and attempted escort the customer from the store. A physical struggle between the two ensued, and the guard pulled out a "small pocket knife" and stabbed the customer several times.
The customer suffered "multiple stab wounds," police said.
The victim was taken to a hospital, and as of Tuesday morning was reported to be in stable condition. He has declined to identify himself or provide police with any statements of the incident.
No arrests have been made at this time, but an investigation is ongoing, Santa Monica police said.
This is a developing story.
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