Police investigating assault at local liquor store

The customer refused to wear a face mask and then assaulted the cashier.

Wearing a mask is now the way of the world... but not everyone is willing to follow governor kate brown's requirements...inclu ding a customer who allegedly assaulted a eugene liquor store clerk -- for*enforcing the rule.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy has the story.

It was thursday, right before closing time when nick acosta and his manager were just having a conversation at santa clara liquor.

That's when a customer walked in,*without a mask.

"we were trying to get his attention and finally when he did, he started cursing at us and shouting and screaming before we could even say anything else."

The anger then escalated...somethin g acosta and store employees did not see coming.

"while he's cussing and everything like that, my manager and i tell him that he's 86 from the store, and when we told him that, he turns around and punches me in the chin."

And that moment was actually caught on camera.

As you can see here in this surveillance video, the customer begins to walk out...but had*another idea in mind.

"i just couldnt even believe it that somebody was that upset because we told him that he needed to have a mask on to enter the store.

He didnt even let us finish."

Bridge: when you walk into santa clara liquor, you will be asked to put on a facial covering.

If you don't have one, they can sell one to you or store employees say they will even do the shopping for you.

But even with those accommodations me this isn't the first time they've seen angry customers.

"we've had quite a few people get very upset, call us names and everything and leave the store without us even being able to finish that they can wait outside and we can shop for them."

And there's one thing acosta, along with many others, say*everyone should keep in mind before walking inside a business.

"i just wish people would be a little more understanding that it's not my rule.

It's the state's rule and we just gotta apply it."

The suspect fled before police arrived-- officails say they are still investigating this incident.

Reporting in eugene kennedy dendy kezi 9 news.

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