A man shot a Waffle House cook after he was told repeatedly that he needed to wear a face mask to receive service, according to Colorado police.
Man shoots Waffle House cook after refusing to wear face mask inside restaurant, authorities say https://t.co/vA3vDrCBE5
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 20, 2020
27-year-old Kevin Watson was arrested Monday by the Aurora Police Department and charged with attempted first-degree murder.
According to Fox Denver, Watson went to the Waffle House shortly after midnight on May 14 and was denied service by a server because he was not wearing a face mask. (RELATED: US Arrests Two Men Accused Of Aiding Former Nissan Boss Carlos Ghosn As He Fled Japan To Avoid Trial)
Watson allegedly returned later with a mask that he did not wear. When the cook told him that he could not be served until he put a mask on, Watson put a gun on the counter and told the cook he could “blow your brains out.”
The following night, May 15, Watson returned to the restaurant where the same cook once again told him that he would not be served. After Watson slapped the cook across the face, the cook ran towards the back of the Waffle House and was allegedly shot by Watson in the chest or abdomen, according to a court document. The cook called police while running home, according to Fox Denver.
Man accused of shooting Waffle House employee after dispute over face mask https://t.co/qZdat03XI5 pic.twitter.com/LFvLgCaOg7
— The Hill (@thehill) May 20, 2020
Njeri Boss, Director of Public Relations for Waffle House, released a statement Tuesday that said “We are relieved to hear that Aurora police have made an arrest for this terrible crime, and greatly appreciate the diligence of local law enforcement. This case involves a senseless act of violence that should not be tolerated in any community.”
The City of Aurora does not have a mandate for the use of face masks in public.