Bus Driver Attacked Over Face Mask Request, Officer Discusses Subsequent Investigation

As the coronavirus continues to spread around the U.S., people have taken into account the CDC's recommendation to social distance and wear face masks among others. However, in doing so, new issues have emerged, including the recent attack on a bus driver in San Francisco who attempted to enforce the wearing of the facial coverings.

According to NBC News, the San Francisco Police Department stated that a driver of Asian descent was "struck by a wooden bat several times" last week after attempting to remove three male passengers who refused to wear masks.

In addition to the reported violence, Roger Marenco, president of the Transport Workers Union Local 250, told NBC Asian America that the driver was also spat on and was on the receiving end of racial slurs during the interaction.

On the day in question, three men reportedly boarded the bus and refused to comply with requests to wear the facial coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the driver, who is employed by San Francisco’s Municipal Railway, pulled the bus over and attempted to escort the men off, which is when the altercation occurred. Officer Robert Rueca, a department spokesman, reported that the men then fled the scene.

Rueca also indicated that a preliminary investigation "did not indicate that race was a factor in this assault." However, that could change if new details emerge.

No arrests have been made at this time.