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Man Allegedly Pulls Gun Over Maskless Gym Users

A Twin Cities-area man has been charged after he allegedly pulled a gun on a gym manager after complaining about the number of gym users who weren’t wearing face masks. He was charged Monday with assault with a dangerous weapon, ABC News reports.

Michael Florhaug, 64, was arrested in connection with an incident at the LA Fitness gym in Maplewood, Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court on Monday, Florhaug went to the gym to monitor whether or not members were complying with the mask requirement,  a Minnesota state order that’s meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He spoke to a front desk employee “in an aggressive and angry manner about gym members not wearing masks.”

The assistant manager told officers that Florhaug told him he was going to walk around the gym and take pictures of people. When the manager tried to stop Florhaug from entering the gym further, he said that’s when Florhaug drew the gun. Florhaug then proceeded further into the gym, and the manager tackled Florhaug, took the gun and removed all the ammunition, according to the complaint.

Florhaug told police that he wanted to take photos to get the gym in trouble for not complying with the mask mandate, and said the manager “physically attacked him.” According to the complaint, Florhaug told police he only “flashed” the gun.

Florhaug is charged with second degree assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.

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About Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith is a newcomer to Washington D.C. She met and married an American journalist and moved to D.C. from the U.K. She graduated with a B.A. in Graphics, Media, and Communications and worked in design and retail in the U.K.

Photo: Getty Images