Brothers charged in LA brawl after refusing to wear masks

Prosecutors have charged two brothers in an alleged assault of Target security guards during a brawl in May after they refused to wear masks, the Los Angeles city attorney announced Friday.

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, police say a bus driver was assaulted with a wooden bat earlier this week after asking three passengers multiple times to put on masks as required by the city or get off the bus. The extent of the bus driver’s injuries was not known.

Phillip Hamilton II, 31, and Paul Hamilton, 29, allegedly refused to wear masks at the Target store in Van Nuys on May 1, according to a news release. It was not immediately clear if they had attorneys who could speak on their behalf.

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said one of the security guards suffered a broken arm in the melee.

Los Angeles has required face coverings since April 10.

One of the brothers allegedly punched one of four security guards who were escorting them out of the store, Feuer said. A “knock-down drag-out fight” fight erupted and was caught on surveillance video, he said.

“Not wearing a mask is selfish, wrong and illegal,” Feuer said. “We will absolutely not tolerate violence in response to appropriate efforts to assure business patrons wear face coverings. We have one common enemy — and it’s the virus, not each other.”

Phillip Hamilton faces up to a year and nine months in jail on misdemeanor charges of battery, including an allegation of a battery causing serious bodily injury, and trespass. Paul Hamilton, who was charged with misdemeanor battery and trespass, could spend up to a year and three months in jail.

They are scheduled to return to court Aug. 12.