Police in Florida say a man is facing charges after allegedly spitting at a child wearing a mask in a restaurant and telling him: “You now have coronavirus.”
As per reports, 47-year-old Jason Copenhaver was arrested after the incident at Ricky T’s in Treasure Island on Sunday and is now facing charges of battery and disorderly conduct.
Police say that Copenhaver initially approached the boy and asked if he could shake his hand. When the youngster refused, the 47-year-old grabbed his arm and spat in his face, saying: “You now have coronavirus.”
Copenhaver’s arrest affidavit describes him as “intoxicated” at the time of the incident and states that he was not wearing shoes. After the incident with the child, he entered the bar area of the restaurant and was told to sit down by a worker.
Instead it’s said he approached the worker in a “threatening manner and attempted to strike him twice.” The worker then escorted Copenhaver outside and held him on the ground until police arrived.
Authorities have since made it clear that Copenhaver admitted he didn’t know if he had coronavirus and has never been tested.
Thus far COVID-19 has resulted in upwards of 160,000 deaths in the U.S. alone, with recent figures suggesting as many as 4.8 million people have tested positive.
Why would anyone do something so irresponsible and frankly stupid? Especially to a child? I can only hope that Copenhaver is met with the correct justice.
Share this article to remind people to stay vigilant during the ongoing pandemic! Stay safe out there, people.
