Man opens fire on mother and son for failing to observe ‘social distancing’

A man has been arrested for shooting at a mother and son after he became upset with the pair for failing to observe ‘social distancing’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

47-year-old Douglas Marks from Miami confronted the woman and her son in the lobby of the Crystal Beach Suites in Miami Beach on Monday evening,

According to the affidavit, Marks told Veronica Pena and her son who were visiting Miami Beach from New Mexico: ‘You aren’t social distancing.’  He then asked them to leave the hotel before bringing out a black firearm which he shot ‘several’ times in the lobby.

No one was injured in the shooting but Marks was later arrested by Miami Beach police.

One witness, who spoke to Local10 but chose to remain anonymous said: ‘He tried to shoot the girl and the kid.’

Marks has allegedly confessed to the shooting but told detectives that he fired his weapon because he was being followed, and asked the front desk to call 911.

As of Tuesday night, Marks remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, Local10 said. He faces several charges following the incident, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public.