Savannah mayor breaks up fight at Walmart

‘The only thing we should be fighting is COVID-19,’ Mayor Van Johnson says

While sheltering in place is leaving many of us stir-crazy, some Walmart shoppers in Savannah might have taken it too far. Mayor Van Johnson happened to be on the scene to aid in breaking up simultaneous altercations Friday.

Bystanders’ footage has since gone viral.

“On Friday evening, I was in Walmart on Montgomery Crossroads when multiple fights broke out. I assisted where I could in diffusing the incident and I thank the wonderful team at Walmart who managed this situation without injury,” Johnson said in a Facebook post.

Johnson has expressed frustration about citizens' lack of social distancing rules meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus, according to WMTW.

“We knew last Saturday that Walmart was like the club,” Johnson said in a live update Friday night.

He used his Walmart story as an example to boost his message.

"In these difficult times, the only thing we should be fighting is COVID-19, and the only message that should become viral is to stay home." — Savannah Mayor Van Johnson


»RELATED: Black men wearing COVID-19 masks at store reportedly booted out for not removing

The fight took place the day before Walmart’s new rules took effect to enforce social distancing.

As of April 4, stores have not allowed more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a time. Walmart estimates this makes up roughly 20% of a store’s capacity.

»MORE: Walmart to limit customers in stores beginning Saturday

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