Coronavirus: Washington man charged with assault after mask-related attack on disabled veteran, 72

SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane, Washington, man suspected of breaking the jaw of a 72-year-old disabled veteran in an altercation over a face mask was arrested at his home Saturday night and charged with second-degree assault.

An anonymous tip led investigators to the home of Cody P. Hansen, 35, who was arrested without incident, KHQ-TV reported.

According to the TV station, Hansen also has a warrant for his arrest out of Alaska on drug charges and a probation violation, and his bail on the assault arrest was set at $10,000.

Hansen is accused of attacking the unidentified veteran and breaking his jaw July 18 during an altercation in the lobby of the Red Lion Inn and Suites in Kent, Washington, Fox News reported.

The victim told officers that he had made a remark to Hansen’s girlfriend, who was not wearing a mask or facial covering of any kind in the hotel lobby despite the novel coronavirus pandemic. He said Hansen later came back to the lobby and attacked him. Surveillance video shows a man, later identified as Hansen, approaching the 72-year-old man, who was sitting in the lobby with his cane and dog nearby. According to the victim, Hansen struck him several times, rendering him unconscious, the network reported.

Cox Media Group