The man at the center of a violent outburst caught on camera in a Santee hair salon has a criminal past and has served time previously. He was supposed to be in court for this latest case to face assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism charges, but at the last minute, that hearing was postponed. NBC 7s Dana Williams reports.
This article originally stated that Marriott allegedly became irate when he arrived at the shop and a staffer pointed out that he was late for his appointment. What staffers said actually occurred is below — Ed.
A parolee was back behind bars Wednesday for allegedly flying into a rage at a Santee hair salon last week and hurling merchandise at employees, leaving one injured.
August Marriott, 27, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the alleged rampage at Great Clips at 9665 Mission Gorge Road, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
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“Pretty shaken up — we didn’t know if he had anything in his pockets, weapon, knife," stylist Jessica Schirmer told NBC 7 on Wednesday night. You don’t know how someone is going to act when they just snap like that. “
Schirmer said Marriott walked in the door just before closing time — 7 p.m. on Wednesday —, complaining he couldn’t make an appointment online. Despite the late hour, she agreed to stay and cut his hair. That was followed by a barrage of angry slurs.
During the episode — which was captured on cell phone video and has been posted to various social-media platforms — Marriott purportedly vandalized the business, threatened employees and threw shampoo bottles at them, leaving one person with minor injuries, sheriff's Sgt. Stephen Chambers said.
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No one was seriously injured during the random attack, Schirmer said, but it was distressing.
“We cut hair," Schirmer said. "It’s not like I am on the front lines somewhere.”
Marriott left the salon prior to the arrival of deputies. Investigators subsequently identified him as the alleged perpetrator of the violent outburst, "thanks to many tips from the public," the sergeant said.
Marriott was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of assault, vandalism and violating terms of his parole. He is being held without bail pending arraignment, which had been scheduled for Thursday afternoon but was delayed due to a medical reason, court officials told NBC 7.
On Thursday, NBC 7 learned that the recent alleged incident in Santee would not be the first time Marriott has gotten aggressive at a business. In fact, he's also being charged with a parole violation.
Deputy district attorney Jeff Lazar said that’s connected to a prior criminal case in 2022 in San Diego that he served prison time for. Two other names were listed on the case as Marriott's known aliases — Cooper Hill and Juan Martinez.
According to the court documents, Marriott slapped a woman in the face at a Jack in the Box after calling her a racial slur. Lazar said he was charged with a hate crime and assault and battery. There's also another case in Sacramento along the same lines, according to Lazar.
Marriott is now scheduled to return to court on Friday for his arraignment.
