Dramatic cellphone footage shows a woman slammed by cop to the floor of Walmart Birmingham for refusing to wear a face mask. The incident happened in Birmingham, Alabama, on Tuesday night, with the woman reportedly apprehended after screaming abuse at other shoppers and staff members.
One clip that has since been shared widely on Facebook began after the woman, who has not been named, had already been restrained by a police officer. She is said to have tried to enter the store without the mandatory face covering aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, then argued with other people inside who told her to cover up.
A second woman who accompanied her could be heard screaming during the commotion, and appeared to remonstrate with a second member of staff.
Birmingham Police Department Spokesman Sergeant Ron Mauldin said: ‘The female continued and was asked to leave the store. However, she refused. The officer began to detain her, however she continued to resist. The officer used a takedown measure to gain control due to the other threat factors in the store.’
Seconds later, the first woman who was already restrained attempted to free herself from the policeman’s clutches, prompting him to lift her up and drop her onto the ground. That elicited more screams from her pal, who could be heard shouting at the cop and stamping her foot on the floor.
The woman who was thrown to the ground has since been charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, third-degree criminal trespassing, possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, Al.com reported.
Sergeant Mauldin added: ‘We understand we’re operating in trying times. The Birmingham Police Department has maintained a consistent, community-oriented educational approach to the surrounding circumstances of Covid-19.’
Krystulen Smith, 18, has been charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, third-degree criminal trespassing, possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. She was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Thursday at 7:51 p.m. and released at 8:53 p.m. after posting $10,000 bond.
Alabama has seen close to 9,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 374 deaths. State Governor Kay Ivey lifted most lockdown restrictions earlier this week, although businesses can demand that shoppers wear masks before being permitted entry.
