ASHEVILLE, NC January 19 2019 Asheville police said a 51-year-old man was arrested after he was accused of fighting a young girl and pushing two other teens at the Asheville Mall.

Police said the incident happened on the evening of January 12.

Police said David Steven Bell, of Black Mountain, pushed and then punched a preteen girl during the course of the fight.

An off-duty officer arrested Bell and he was charged with assault on a female under 12.

Warrants state he was also charged with two counts of assault on a female for pushing two other 13-year-old girls.

Police said the victim refused medical treatment. The investigation is ongoing.

Video of the incident was reportedly posted on social media, prompting the Asheville Mall to respond on Facebook:

CBL Properties, which operates the Asheville Mall, released this statement:

“We have a number of security measures in place that cover both the interior and exterior of the property. In addition to maintaining a full-time professional security team, we partner with the Asheville Police Department and hire off-duty officers to patrol the interior and exterior of the property.

Since Saturday’s incident is currently under investigation by the Asheville Police Department, we will have to direct any questions to them.”

FOX Carolina

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