Cop Charged With Assaulting Shopper During Mask Enforcement

Baltimore officer accused of slamming man to ground after he refused to wear mask in store

By Dan Lyman

By Francesco Abbruzzino

 

 

A Baltimore police officer is facing criminal charges stemming from a mask enforcement incident at a grocery store in April.

 

Detective Andre Pringle was hit with one count of second-degree assault and one count of misconduct in office by a grand jury last week, the Baltimore City State Attorney’s Office announced in a statement.

 

On April 19, Brandon Walker entered Shoppers Supermarket while wearing a mask on top of his head, prosecutors say.

 

Walker’s foot was in a cast and he was on a crutch at the time.

The Baltimore City State Attorney’s Office explains the events that transpired as follows:

 

A Shoppers Supermarket manager asked Walker to put his face mask on properly and he refused. The manager called store security who asked Walker to comply with the Governor’s Order or leave and again Walker refused. The manager then called Officer Pringle.

 

Officer Pringle, who was in full BPD uniform at the time, approached Walker and advised him that he had to leave the store. The two began walking towards the exit. Walker was yelling and cursing at Officer Pringle as they continued towards the automated entry/exit doors.

Officer Pringle and Walker entered the enclosed area between the two sets of automated doors, when Walker stopped and glared at Officer Pringle. Walker then turned back around and Officer Pringle responded by grabbing him by his jacket and shoving him out of the store’s exit. Once outside, Officer Pringle slammed Walker to the ground, face first, causing Mr. Walker to hit his head on the concrete.

 

Officer Pringle then got on top of Walker and folded his left leg upward forcing Walker’s left foot to his buttocks. The contact which started with the shove and continued through the arrest resulted in intentional, harmful, offensive, and unwanted touching by Officer Pringle.

 

“This office remains committed to upholding one standard of justice regardless of who violates the law,” said State Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

 

“This indictment alleges actions that we simply cannot tolerate or accept from those that are sworn to protect and serve the citizens of this city.”

 

Charges initially filed against Walker were dropped in November, the Baltimore Sun reports.