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Caught On Video: Apple Store Melee Ends In Stabbing After Customer Refuses To Wear A Mask

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have released new video of last week's violent attack inside of an Apple store.

Investigators said an employee was stabbed trying to enforce the store's mask policy, CBS2's Thalia Perez reported.

It's the establishment's rule: No mask, no entry. But when a security guard at the Apple store on West 14th street in the Meatpacking District asked a customer to mask up, the customer smacked him and left the store, police said.

Apple Store Stabbing Suspect
(credit: CBS2)

Surveillance video shows the suspect quickly return and then punch a female employee in the face before he launches an attack with a knife on the first security guard he encounters.

"I feel really bad for these people who are trying to enforce these rules," customer Beverly Lydick said. "I don't think it's the end of that. I think you're going to see a lot more of that before this is all over with."

Police said the incident happened on Friday just before 6:30 p.m. The victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital with stab wounds to his arm, three wounds to his back, and a slash wound on his forehead.

"It's kind of shocking. It's a mask. We've been wearing them for 19, 20 months. They should be used to it by now," customer Danielle Morel said.

Colyn Cullum said she lives on 17th Street, just around the corner from the Apple store, and has seen a spike in random crime.

"It has been happening all over. Like, you know, all this crime about arguing over wearing masks, but it's still scary," Cullum said.

Fortunately, none of the victim's injuries are considered life threatening and he is recovering at Bellevue.

Police continue to search for the suspect.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.

CBS2's Thalia Perez contributed to this report.

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