Man arrested after assaulting Walmart employee who asked him to wear mask

Police were dispatched to the Walmart Wednesday evening after receiving a report of the assault. The man was identified through video camera footage and was arrested later that night at his home.

The 30-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been made public, was released and is expected to show up to court at a later date. He is being charged with assault and mischief.

The victim sustained minor injuries but did not require medical attention.

A mask mandate was implemented in British Columbia earlier this month as cases of coronavirus rise dramatically across the province. BC avoided implementing a blanket mask mandate across the province for most of the year as the province remained relatively unscathed during the first wave of the virus.

The RCMP is reminding people in British Columbia that masks are now mandatory in all indoor public spaces, carrying the penalty of a $230 fine.