A Giant grocery store security guard has been charged with simple assault after allegedly forcing a transgender woman out of the women's restroom, NBC Washington reports.
Ebony Belcher, 32, said she went into a Giant store in Northeast Washington, D.C., and asked an employee where the bathroom was. On her way into the restroom, Belcher passed by a security officer who was standing in the hallway.
The female officer entered the restroom behind Belcher and told her to get out, Belcher said.
"She opened the door and came in and started calling me derogatory names," Belcher told the news station. Belcher accused the officer of putting her hand on her shoulder and arm and grabbing her and pushing her out of the store.
"You guys cannot keep coming in here and using our women's restroom. They did not pass the law yet," the guard said, according to Belcher.
Belcher said she called police and reported the incident after she left the store. A police report indicated that the guard, who has not been identified, was arrested and charged, according to NBC Washington. Belcher said that she suffers from Parkinson's disease and almost fell when the officer grabbed her.
Giant issued a statement, saying, "As this matter involves a third party that provides security services for Giant and there's an ongoing criminal investigation, all inquiries related to the incident at the H Street Giant should be directed to the local police for a comment at this time."
Read more at NBC Washington.