ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An altercation broke out at a business in St. Louis County after customers were told to leave for not wearing face masks.
St. Louis County officers from the Southwest Affton Precinct responded to a disturbance at St. Louis’ Incredible Pizza Company, which is in the 5200 block of South Lindbergh in Sappington, on Sunday afternoon.
Police said an altercation broke out after customers of the business were told to leave because they weren’t wearing face masks.
A face mask mandate went into effect in St. Louis County on July 3. Anyone going out in public is required to wear a mask, with the exception of those with certain medical conditions. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page previously said the goal of the face mask mandate is to follow the advice of public health experts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
A 27-year-old woman was issued a summons for assaulting three people, police said. According to witnesses and video surveillance, the woman sprayed pepper spray at employees of the business.
Statement from Incredible Pizza
"I can confirm that a group of people did enter the store without wearing masks. Our staff requested the group comply with the mandatory mask-wearing regulations instituted by the County Health Department. People in the group refused to comply with multiple requests from our staff to wear masks. (We do offer masks for sale for $1.00 to those that might not have a mask). Because of the mandate and the group’s refusal to comply, the group was asked to leave the facility.
After the request, some of the group became verbally abusive to the employees and one of the members of the group sprayed pepper spray at the staff as the group was leaving.I can report all staff are physically OK, and a little emotionally stressed.
Incredible Pizza Company is very disappointed that three people out of the thousands that visit our stores chose to not follow the St. Louis County regulations of wearing masks while in public. We hope with increased awareness by our media partners and peer pressure, our staff won’t be put in a position to enforce ongoing health regulations and just be able to offer polite reminders to our guests, allowing them to be happy and safe while at Incredible Pizza."
