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The Brief
A Walgreens staff member was taken into custody on Wednesday after allegedly stabbing a customer in the eye.
The individual involved was reported to have stolen several products from the store.
The employee now faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
SAN FRANCISCO – In a startling incident in San Francisco, authorities arrested a Walgreens employee early Wednesday morning for allegedly stabbing a man in the eye.
The employee, 45-year-old Guang Hong, has been booked into San Francisco County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
The 30-year-old victim, identified as Larry Whitlock, was taken to a nearby hospital where he is being treated for injuries that, fortunately, are not life-threatening.
A confrontation
What we know
The altercation occurred at approximately 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday. According to statements from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), Whitlock departed the Walgreens located at 498 Castro Way without paying for various items. Surveillance footage from a nearby location reveals that an employee and a security guard followed Whitlock outside, where a verbal dispute rapidly escalated into a physical confrontation.
The video indicates Hong returned inside the store after a brief engagement with Whitlock. A few moments later, Hong emerged again and they exchanged words once more. Soon thereafter, he charged at Whitlock, dodging an attempted punch and countering with two of his own, leading to Whitlock falling to the ground while clutching his face. Following this, Hong kicked Whitlock before going back into the store.
The footage captures Whitlock pacing the street while holding his face. Subsequently, two men left the Walgreens to speak with him, but they soon departed the frame.
Police patrolling the vicinity were alerted to a stabbing incident at approximately 4:35 a.m.
Hong reportedly declined medical help at the scene and was subsequently apprehended. Meanwhile, Whitlock received citations for battery and petty theft before being transported to a local hospital.
Facing charges
Dig deeper
Should Hong be convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, he may face a maximum sentence of four years in prison and potential fines reaching up to $10,000, or possibly both.
For Whitlock, the charges of battery and petty theft each could lead to penalties of up to six months in county jail, along with fines that may reach $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
The Source
SFPD, Friscolive
Source
www.yahoo.com