Community members have been protesting since the video surfaced, calling for Princess Market to be shut down. Demonstrators reportedly said that they felt the Princess Market had behaved in a negative and discriminatory way toward their community for years, and that the video was the breaking point.
According to the police officials, the 68-year-old store employee is now charged with simple assault after he reportedly beat a customer with a stick. Police officials said the customer was having a seizure at the time of the attack. He was arrested on Tuesday.
The 68-year-old man from North Carolina, Sobhi Hassan, reportedly beat 56-year-old Gregory Evans. The victim had to be hospitalized after being beaten by Hassan inside the Princess Market, according to a reports.
The victim’s family reportedly said that the 56-year-old victim started having a seizure while he was inside the store at around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 22. Evans was then confronted by the clerk, who is seen on video hitting Evans with a stick as Evans is heard groaning in apparent pain.
“Get out. Get out, motherf***er!” Hassan says repeatedly as he strikes the victim’s legs. Police officials said Hassan continues the attack as the victim appears to lean on the checkout counter for support.
Authorities say the 68-year-old suspect was arrested after WRAL News sent the police a copy of the video this week to ask if any charges would be filed, according to reports.
Community members have been protesting since the video surfaced, calling for Princess Market to be shut down. Demonstrators reportedly said that they felt the Princess Market had behaved in a negative and discriminatory way toward their community for years and that the video was the breaking point.
Resident Bronson Williams reportedly said:
“This community is lacking banking activity, this community is lacking a pharmacy, this community is lacking educational opportunities as well, so there’s so much that could really go on here. We’ve got to restore value back here in this community, so that people can know that they do matter.”
The victim’s sister, Edith Cooper, reportedly said: “He’s a little slow, and he still doesn’t have full mobility of his body at this time. But he’s okay.”
She also said that Evans was still undergoing tests for possible long-term injuries at the hospital and that the assault has had a terrible impact on her and her family.
Police Chief Hassell reportedly said the video was brought to his attention just past 8 p.m. Dec. 22 after the video was sent to the police department’s public information officer by television station WRAL.
He also said that he was shocked by the content of the video and that the police department was investigating the incident.
“I only ask the community: Please remain calm and let the police department conclude this investigation — and we will take the necessary actions that needs to be taken, in lockstep with our District Attorney’s Office, to make sure that we have a solid case if there is one to be brought,” Police Chief Hassell also said.