SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 12, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer Cox has issued a statement regarding an incident of aggression and threats reported Sunday, which involved a retail store closed for the day after threats of violence from a patron who was not wearing a mask.
The Stocklist, a clothing store at 875 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City, was the site of the disturbance. An employee reportedly asked the man to wear a mask, in compliance with store policy and Salt Lake City’s mask mandate.
According to reports, the customer became combative, and started calling store employees names.
After the employee managed to get the angry man out of the store, he threatened to come back and shoot up the place, the employee reported.
In another weekend incident, on a FrontRunner, a man threatened the life of a train host when she requested he put on a mask. He was arrested after leaving the train in Clearfield. Read about that case here.
Cox’s reaction came Monday morning, and reads as follows:
“We strongly condemn the threats of violence made against employees and businesses requiring patrons to wear masks. Individuals who make such threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“Utah has a strong tradition of respecting private property rights. Businesses and public services have the right under the law to continue requiring masks in their establishments if they choose. We support such efforts and thank all Utahns who respect each other’s rights and mask requirements wherever they are in effect.”
