(UPDATE: Police seeking persons of interest in assault at Genesee Valley Mall)
FLINT TWP., MI -- Macy’s is calling the beating of an employee at its Genesee Valley Center store “unprovoked” and township police say they are actively looking for two men who were involved in the attack.
“We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place on Monday (June 15) at Macy’s Genesee Valley as the safety of Macy’s customers and colleagues is our top priority,” Andrea Schwartz, senior director of media relations for Macy’s, said in an email to MLive-The Flint Journal. “Violence in the workplace of any kind is unacceptable. All the materials from the evening have been reviewed and it is clear that the attack was unprovoked. We are working closely with local authorities on this investigation, and will defer any further comments about the case to them per policy.”
Macy’s statement Friday, June 19, comes after police confirmed they were investigating the beating of a man inside the store, an assault captured on video that has circulated widely on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
The man who originally posted the video, who used the name FT Quay, has posted comments online that the assault on the man was triggered by of the man having used a racial slur.
Although Macy’s has not identified the man who was attacked in the video, township police Lt. Brad Wangler said Friday the man is a store employee.
“We are looking for them as we speak,” Wangler said of the man who punched the Macy’s employee and Quay, whose Facebook page had been taken offline as of Friday. “It’s not something that’s been put on the back burner. We want to find out what happened.”
Police issued a news release Friday in response to the incident, saying it occurred shortly before they were dispatched at 5:45 p.m. Monday for an assault complaint.
“Officers learned an employee of the store was assaulted by a young black male who fled the scene with a second individual after the assault,” the statement says. “Store surveillance video confirmed the assault against the employee. Investigators also learned the assault was recorded by the second individual and shared on social media.”
Police are asking anyone that has seen the video on social media and knows the identity of these individuals are urged to contact Detective Hart at 810-600-3250, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245) or go to www.crimestoppersoffint.com
In the video, the Macy’s employee wearing a cloth mask is talking on a cell phone when he’s suddenly punched in the head by a man who uses racial slurs as he continues to hoover over and punch him.
“I didn’t touch you ... I’m sorry,” the man on the ground says before he’s punched a second and third time by the man.
A short video clip of the incident was shared thousands of times on social media platforms this week and the attacker was supported by some, who said the assault was provoked by the employee’s use of a racial slur -- something that isn’t heard on the video.
Police investigating video of beating inside Genesee Valley mall