MARINE CITY, Mich. – A Marine City business is closing after a heated confrontation outside it sparked an active police investigation.
The incident was caught on video and posted to YouTube by a group claiming to defend First Amendment rights.
The video quickly went viral, drawing thousands of views.
The group says they visit businesses to record and educate others about their rights.
But since the video surfaced, Zimmerman’s Meat Market owners say they have been targeted with death threats, prompting them to shut down for safety.
In the video, three people are seen filming outside the store and exchanging words with the owners inside.
At one point, one of the visitors pulls out a can of pepper spray.
Zimmerman’s Co-owner Richard Hobig said they moved to the historic town without expecting this kind of trouble.
“I just had no idea that this is what we bargained for,” said Hobig.
The person who sprayed the Mace said they feared for their safety and warned Richard to back off, while Richard says he was only trying to get help from a nearby officer.
Richard explained, “He kept saying something about stay away from me, and it’s like I’m not going for you. You can see in the video where he goes to stay in front of me, and I thought he was spraying silly string at me or something.”
Sarah admitted the argument got out of hand and said she made three 9-1-1 calls to try to get police to intervene.
“I had no idea why they did this, who they were, where they came from, and what they wanted. I didn’t know if they were trying to rob us, kidnap someone, break my windows, or taunt me. I had no idea if this was dangerous or not,” said Sarah.
An officer did arrive, but the owners say they were unhappy with how the police handled the situation.
They claim the department did not take their concerns seriously.
Richard said, “We were used and not protected at all.”
Since the incident, the owners have received death threats, decided to close the business, and are seeking legal help.
They posted a sign on their door reading, “Don’t count on MCPD to protect you.”
The police chief acknowledged awareness of the sign and said the department respects the business owners’ right to free speech.
He added that the department remains focused on providing professional law enforcement services to the entire community.
Due to the ongoing investigation, he declined further comment.
Sarah said, “I did everything I was supposed to do. I called 911. I was scared, and now my life is over because the police didn’t protect me.”
The business owners met with the police chief and city manager, who said that once the investigation is complete, there will be a review of how the police department handled the situation.
According to a police press release, after the investigation concludes, the case will be forwarded to the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office, which holds the authority to determine if criminal charges will be filed.
The person who pepper-sprayed Richard released a statement saying they were peacefully exercising their First Amendment right to record in public.
They described approaching Zimmerman’s Meat Market during a downtown tour and said the woman inside reacted with hostility, turning off the lights and bringing out a large man who called the police.
The visitor said the man charged aggressively at them despite warnings to back off, prompting the use of legal, non-deadly self-defense spray.
They emphasized their intent was never to cause an altercation but to peacefully record without fear or interference.
More: Owner of Michigan business posts scathing note about cops after dispute with filming group