British Columbia

2 charged with assault of Walmart clerk who asked customers to wear masks: RCMP

A man and a woman have been charged with assaulting a Walmart store clerk in Dawson, B.C., who asked them to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

WARNING: This story contains video depicting graphic violence

A screen grab from a Facebook video, since taken offline, that claims to show the Nov. 25 attack at a Walmart in Dawson Creek, B.C. (Facebook)

Two people have been charged with assault after an altercation over the wearing of face masks at a Walmart store in Dawson Creek, B.C., in November. 

The RCMP say a store employee was attacked after asking two customers to wear masks.

A video posted on Facebook that has since been removed claimed to show the incident in the store on Nov. 25.

The video shows a man sitting on someone and punching them repeatedly, while voices in the background say, "Stop, please! This is enough!"

WATCH | Video claiming to show the Nov. 25 attack:

Video shows man repeatedly punching another in alleged anti-mask confrontation in B.C. Walmart

4 years ago
Duration 0:22
In the video, a man is seen repeatedly punching someone lying underneath him on the floor in a B.C. Walmart.

Jordan Alex Taylor and Kennedy Jane Pace are now charged with assault, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.

Taylor is also charged with mischief after the employee's cellphone was damaged.

He is scheduled to make a first court appearance on Feb. 23.

Taylor was born in 1990 and Pace in 1997, according to court documents.

Dawson Creek RCMP said on Tuesday afternoon that Pace has turned herself in to police and that there is no longer a warrant for her arrest.

Police say the Walmart employee suffered minor injuries and didn't require medical care.

In a statement to CBC News in November, a Walmart spokesperson said the incident was "completely unacceptable and deeply troubling."

"Our associates are doing everything they can to support our communities during this pandemic," the statement said.