Man Charged With Hitting EPCOT Security Guard Over Face Mask
According to a recent report in the Orlando Sentinel, an Orlando man hit an EPCOT security guard when he was asked by the Disney employee to follow the theme park’s mask rules. This is according to a report filed by the Orange County Sheriff. This is the first known crime involving a disturbance over wearing a face mask since the policy was implemented last month.
Enrico Toro, 35, was accused of hitting the guard in the head and threatening to kill him. This lead to Toro’s arrest on August 14th according to an arrest affidavit. Toro was charged with misdemeanor battery according to Orange County court records. Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger had this to say of the arrest, “We expect guests to treat our cast members with courtesy and respect, and while the vast majority of guests have adapted to our new measures, this unfortunate case required law enforcement.”
Toro told authorities that the EPCOT security guard swore at him and they got into an argument but denies hitting the security guard. However, three witnesses have come forward saying that Toro became upset and used profanity before hitting the guard. The incident apparently took place early evening with Toro arriving with his wife and three children around 4:40pm. According to the affidavit, the family were wearing improper masks. They returned to their car to change out the masks before returning a second time and getting stopped again. According to the report it was at this time that Toro began swearing and causing a disruption.
When the security guard went to phone his supervisor Toro apparently hit the guards head with an “open hand” according to the police report. It was at this time that Toro’s wife intervened and moved her husband away from the security guard. The security guard was not injured in the altercation but said that he was willing to press charges.
This is a story that we’ll continue to follow closely here at MickeyBlog so keep checking in with us for further news and updates! You can check out the original story from Sentinel below.
Source: Orlando Sentinel