Police: Man points gun at women in masks, feared coronavirus

The man was later released on bail

This Tuesday, March 24, 2020, photo released by Sharp Corporation, shows the first production of surgical masks at its factory in Taki, Mie Prefecture, central Japan. The Japanese electronics maker Sharp began production with a daily capacity of 150,000 masks on Tuesday to help address a shortage of the items amid the spread of the new coronavirus. (Sharp Corporation via AP) (Uncredited, Sharp Corporation)

ATLANTA – Authorities say a Georgia man who feared getting the coronavirus pointed a gun at two women wearing medical masks and gloves in a post office.

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Police say the suspect confronted a woman and her adult granddaughter in a building north of Atlanta on Sunday.

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He was identified by news outlets as 75-year-old Harvey Joel Taratoot. The victims told police Taratoot pulled out his handgun and yelled at them to get back after they entered the post office.

Taratoot peacefully surrendered to police while armed at his house. He was arrested on a charge of pointing a pistol at another and was later released on bail.

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