Holly MatkinSt. Louis, MO – A belligerent woman attacked a female City of St. Louis Sheriff’ Office (SLSO) deputy and beat her with an expandable baton after the deputy asked her to wear a mask inside a gas station on Christmas (videos below).
The unnamed SLSO deputy said she was working security at the Shell gas station on North Tucker at approximately 11:52 p.m. on Dec. 25 when the suspect came in without a mask, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) said in a press release.
The uniformed deputy, 59, told the woman she needed to wear a mask inside the business, at which point the suspect “became belligerent,” the SLMPD said.
Security footage showed the suspect as she momentarily held a mask up to her face while standing at the end of a line of customers.
Shortly thereafter, the deputy said the woman shoved her while leaving the store, then started punching her, the SLMPD said.
She allegedly stole the deputy’s baton at some point during the attack, police said.
A second video showed the violent suspect hitting the deputy with the baton outside the store.
By that time, the deputy had fallen to the ground.
The suspect briefly tussled with two witnesses at the scene before strutting off to a vehicle parked at the fuel pumps nearby, the video showed.
The injured deputy returned to her feet and followed her attacker as she got into the passenger seat of the waiting car.
Onlookers surrounded the deputy as she struggled with the combative woman.
A noise that sounded like a Taser being fired could be heard at one point in the video.
The violent suspect managed to sit back down in the passenger seat and grabbed onto the deputy’s head during the brawl.
The deputy swung at her with the baton before the suspect ultimately shoved her away and slammed the car door closed, the video showed.
The suspect vehicle then fled the scene.
The deputy suffered a concussion as a result of the attack, but declined medical attention at the scene, according to the SLMPD.
Police are still searching for the suspect.
She is described as a black female who stands approximately six feet, two inches tall and weighs around 195 pounds.
She was last seen wearing black pants, a dark shirt, and a three-quarter-length black coat.
Police said she has long, straight black hair and was possibly wearing a wig.
“My first response is to express concern for my deputy who suffered head injuries but is expected to recover,” City of St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts said in a statement to KSDK. “She performed admirably while injured and under duress.”
“Secondly, this incident points to the danger law enforcement officers face every day,” Sheriff Betts continued. “This individual made a serious mistake and we are working with the St. Louis Police Department to apprehend and bring charges against this attacker.”
He further noted that “this pandemic is not over and you must wear a mask when in public,” KDSK reported.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below. Warning – Graphic Content and Obscene Language:
(1/2) Do you recognize the woman in this video? She is wanted for assaulting a Sheriff on 12/25/20 at the Shell Gas Station on N. Tucker Boulevard. Anyone with info is urged to call @stlrcs at 866-371-TIPS (8477). More info: https://t.co/f5Wv4RfCLF pic.twitter.com/njzizAbVl8
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) December 28, 2020
Woman wanted after she beat a sheriff's deputy with her own baton for being asked to wear a face mask.
The incident happened on Christmas Day at a St. Louis City gas station. pic.twitter.com/KSMwfAwdgj
— GrantB911 (@GrantB911) December 29, 2020
