Ice scraper allegedly used as a weapon in dispute over a face mask

Loveland, Colorado - Police are looking into an altercation between two men. The older allegedly struck the younger with an ice scraper after a confrontation over improper mask wearing.

This 40-year-old allegedly used an ice scraper to hit the man following him (stock image).
This 40-year-old allegedly used an ice scraper to hit the man following him (stock image).  © 123rf/ Bogdan Mircea Hoda

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, people are required to wear face masks in most public indoor spaces throughout Colorado. Included among the list are grocery stores like Safeway, where the incident occurred.

Out There Colorado reported that surveillance footage from a Loveland Safeway grocery shows a 40-year-old male leaving the store with his bandana-style mask around his neck. A 27-year-old male approaches the older man and appears to record the confrontation on his cell phone.

Witnesses said that the younger man followed the older one to his car. The 40-year-old then struck the younger man with an ice scraper he pulled from the vehicle.

After the 27-year-old fell to the ground, the older man reportedly grabbed his phone and broke it. Then he left the scene.

Coronavirus cases are rising in Colorado

It is not certain that the altercation in the Safeway parking lot was explicitly about mask wearing. Nevertheless, both men could face charges for their actions.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health, Covid-19 data cases continue to rise. There were 3,411 new cases reported on December 9. Hospitalizations due to the virus are also increasing.

Governor Jared Polis recently extended a statewide mask mandate until January 2021, according to KKTV.

Cover photo: Ice scraper allegedly used as a weapon in dispute over a face mask

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