Man Attacks County Liquor Store Worker Over Mask Rule, Police Say

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Silver Spring man has been arrested for attacking a liquor store employee after his friend was denied service for not wearing a mask, police said.

Donald Thomas-Gipson, 31, was charged with first- and second-degree assault, court records reveal.

The incident happened Saturday at the Montgomery County Liquor and Wine store in Potomac.

Montgomery County police said Thomas-Gipson's friend entered the store on River Road without wearing a mask and was denied service by an employee. The maskless man left, but returned soon after with Thomas-Gipson, who confronted the employee.

Thomas-Gipson then ran behind the counter and assaulted the worker before he fled the scene with his friend, police said.

The liquor store employee was taken to a local hospital.

Upon further investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Thomas-Gipson. Police said he was arrested for the assault on Thursday.