"Why Not Wearing a Mask"… US Security Guard Shoots and Kills Customer After Dispute Over No Mask Use

Green Palm Market in the Gardena area of California where the shooting incident occurred. Photo by Google Maps capture.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A dispute between a security guard and a customer over mask-wearing in the United States escalated into a fatal shooting.

On the 8th (local time), CBS and other U.S. media reported that a security guard at a grocery store in California was arrested after shooting a customer following an argument over mask-wearing.

On the 5th, Umeir Hawkins (38), a security guard working at a grocery store in Gardena, California, stopped a customer, Jerry Lewis (50), who tried to enter the store without wearing a mask.

The customer, after arguing with the security guard, eventually turned away and left the store.

However, the expelled customer returned and got into a physical altercation with the security guard who was leaving work.

Sabrina Carter (50), the security guard’s wife who was waiting for her husband, intervened in the fight by pointing a gun at the customer.

The customer fled toward his vehicle, but the security guard fired at the fleeing customer. The customer was shot and died at the scene.

The police arrested the security guard and his wife on charges of murder and illegal possession of firearms, respectively.

The security guard couple, who had a prior conviction for assault in 2013, are currently in custody awaiting trial.

The security guard faces up to 50 years in prison, while his wife is likely to receive a 3-year sentence. Their bail was set at $1 million and $35,000, respectively.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.