Police: Woman assaults 2men at gas station over facemask

A Cincinnati CINCINNATI — manis recoveringafter half of his facewas fractured during an argument inside a gas station over a face mask Sunday night. Onewoman now stands charged in the assault, but the victims said they hopeother suspects involved will see justice.

Steven Long and James Saylor toldWCPOtheywere assaulted inside a Bond Hill Thornton’s gas station on Reading Road, and it all started over aquestion about a face mask.

“I was just in complete, utter shock,” Long said.

Long told WCPO he stepped up to the counter to pay, but first asked the clerk a question.

“I asked the clerk, ‘Are you not enforcing the mask rule anymore?’ Thiswoman turned around with some explicit language, and smacked me right in the face,” Long said.

That’s when Saylor said thewoman began throwing soda cans, food and fruit at the pair.

“Then she goes to display signs. She’s tearing up the store,” he said.

According to a police report of the incident, 31-year-old Tra’chell Bonner was upset Long asked about mask enforcement.

“She was kicking me in the chest. I’ve never seen, or experienced anything like this,” Long said. That’s when he called 911.

“She has (Saylor) in the corner by the ATM, biting him. I’m trying to get her off of him. I didn’t realize she still has him in her mouth,” he said.

TheCincinnatiPolicereport describes Bonner grabbing a metal sign and hitting Saylor before other suspects got involved.WCPOhasrequested security footage and 911 calls for the incident.

“They’re stomping all over mybody. Intentionallystomping on my head. As soon as the police get there, they scatter. Run. Right past the police, get in their car and leave.”

Officers arrested Bonner and charged her with felonious assault and criminal damaging.

What’s left now are painful reminders of a tense situation.

Thepair are hopeful police will connect the dots to find the other suspects involved.