Alex Jamison, a restaurant owner, was filmed spraying a man with a fire extinguisher for refusing to stop smoking by his restaurant.
The man smoking, Jon Bird, shared the video of the incident that happened near the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City in Utah.
Jamison said that Bird is in a ‘customer area’ so he shouldn’t be smoking there. He was arguing with the smoker and another man.
A woman recording the encounter asked Jamison: “Are you really going to spray him with that fire extinguisher?”
He said that Bird needs to stop smoking but the smoker simply put it in his mouth and continued as Jamison pointed the extinguisher at him.
When Bird said, Do it!” Jamison sprayed a burst in his face and backed away.
Bird then told the man beside him to “call the cops.”
The restaurant owner replied: “Call the cops. You can’t f**king smoke right here.”
Bird shared the video on Facebook and wrote: “Keep an eye out for this guy at the Gallivan Center. Need to get his info. Assaulted me and ran from the scene before the cops showed up. Anyone know any attorneys that can help? Never thought this would happen.”
According to Utah law, smoking within 25 feet of a business entrance is illegal.
Police is currently investigating the case but declined to comment. Bird has already hired a lawyer.
Jamison said in a statement to KSL TV: “I’m not proud of my behavior. I let myself get egged on and I overreacted.
“I’m a protective small business owner who has asked hundreds of people not to smoke near our patio in the interest of our customers and our neighbors’ customers. I try to be respectful and generally always get good responses.
“I asked him multiple times during the day to please go to the designated smoking area but should not have reacted to feeling disrespected. I certainly owe the other person involved an apology and would like to make it right with him however I need to.
“I did not mean to cause him any harm. Our business is committed to fighting for animal rights and this must include other people. I’m sorry.”
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