News Releases

Suspect Charged with Assaulting Montgomery County Liquor and Wine Store Employee Following Dispute over Face Mask

For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 3, 2020

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section have arrested and charged Donald Thomas-Gipson, age 31, of the 12000 block of Milton Street in Silver Spring, with assault charges related to an August 29 incident in which Thomas-Gipson assaulted an employee who was working in a Montgomery County Liquor and Wine store located in Potomac.  Thomas-Gipson assaulted the store employee after the employee refused service to Thomas-Gipson’s friend for not wearing a face mask while inside the store.

On Saturday, August 29, at approximately 5:38 p.m., 2nd District officers responded to the Montgomery County Liquor and Wine store located at 10132 River Road for the report of an assault that had just occurred.

The investigation by detectives determined that approximately 5:30 p.m., an adult male had entered the liquor store while not wearing a face mask.  A store employee told the male that he could not shop inside the store without a face covering.  The male left the store and the suspect then entered the liquor store and asked why the employee refused service to his friend.  The suspect then ran behind the counter and assaulted the store employee.  After the assault, the suspect and the customer who was originally asked to leave the store fled in a vehicle.   Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the liquor store and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

During the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Thomas-Gipson and obtained a warrant for his arrest charging him with first and second-degree assault.

This afternoon (Thursday, September 3), Thomas-Gipson was arrested on the strength of the warrant and transported to the Central Processing Unit.  Bond information for Thomas-Gipson is not yet available.

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Release ID: 20-333
Media Contact: Rick Goodale 
Categories: assault