19 May 2023 , 15:33
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A construction company owner has been charged after a viral video showed him slapping a female worker across the face and hurling insults at her for scratching a cabinet.
The TikTok video, which has caused widespread reactions on social media, show a man belligerently yelling at a soft-spoken woman and others on the job site in in north Phoenix, Arizona, US.
The man, identified as 46-year-old Brent Michael Hospelhorn, was arrested but later released following the recorded assault, leading to questions about the handling of the case.
The video allegedly captures Hospelhorn using offensive language and displaying aggressive behaviour towards a woman, who has not been identified, as he accuses her of scratching some cabinets at a property under construction.
The incident occurred in north Phoenix, with Hospelhorn allegedly seen verbally and physically attacking the woman over scratched cabinets. (TikTok)
Police say the man in the video is Brent Hospelhorn, (TikTok)When another worker appears to defend the woman, Hospelhorn reportedly yells back: 'Bull****, it's f****** her, it's her.
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"A hundred percent, because she was leaning up against when walked in here.'"
Online records indicate that Hospelhorn is the owner of BPH Construction LLP, a construction company based in Scottsdale.
In the video, Hospelhorn can allegedly be seen slapping the woman and aggressively demanding that she leave the building, threatening to terminate her employment.
The footage, originally posted on TikTok by Guadalupe Solano, includes a caption in Spanish that translates to "no one can treat you like this, even if they're the owner, simply because the cabinet was scratched."
TikTok users widely shared the video, expressing their outrage and calling for accountability from the police, questioning why the man was not immediately arrested for his actions.
Responding to the public outcry, the Phoenix police issued a statement addressing the concerns raised on social media.
The owner of a construction company in Arizona faces an assault charge after video posted on TikTok allegedly captured him slapping a female worker across the face while yelling profanities at her for scratching a cabinet. (TikTok)
The victim in the video has not been named (TikTok)They clarified that claims of a lack of action were based on an "inaccurate narrative" and asserted that officers had taken appropriate measures
Their statement said: "The Phoenix Police Department is aware of the video circulating online which shows the assault of a woman on a job site in North Phoenix.
"There is an inaccurate narrative spreading which claims lack of action on our part as law enforcement. This narrative is FALSE.
"One of our officers responded to the call, took a report, and arrested the suspect for assault. This suspect was cited in lieu of detention and the suspect is being recommended for charges."
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Officers were called to the job site where Hospelhorn was detained for misdemeanour assault, cited and then released after being 'recommended for charges.'
Sgt. Robb Scherer, a spokesperson for the Phoenix police The Arizona Republic: "Citing him is not letting him go, he has a court cite to attend."
Hospelhorn is scheduled to appear in court on May 26.