Brawl erupts at Target after brothers refuse to wear face masks, California cops say

A brawl that broke out at a Target store in Southern California after two brothers refused to wear face masks broke a security guard’s arm, KCBS reported.

The incident took place May 1 at a store in the 5700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys, KTTV reported.

Security guards were escorting the two men from the store for refusing to wear face masks when one turned and punched a guard, KTLA reported. He shoved the guard against some shelves as a scuffle broke out.

Shoppers and Target employees converged on the fracas and the two men left the store, KABC reported. The men, who are believed to be homeless, were arrested over the weekend.

Lt. Jim Gavin of the Los Angeles Police Department said it’s the fourth fight over face masks reported in Van Nuys since they became a requirement in public, according to the station.

“Please, if you’re going into a retail establishment, listen to the rules that they’re asking you to follow,” Gavin said, KTLA reported. “Don’t confront people. Don’t confront people out on the street. Allow law enforcement and health officials to enforce the mask requirement.”

Police did not release the names of the two men.

This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 1:07 PM with the headline "Brawl erupts at Target after brothers refuse to wear face masks, California cops say."