A grocery shop cashier was left battered after a woman and her grown daughters attacked her, throwing repeated punches.
According to the shocked employee, the attack came after an argument stemming from cashing in recyclable bottles a week before.
Lisbel Rodriguez Luna, 24, was left scared for her life after the attack at Food Universe, in Bronx, New York, US.
“No one ever attacked me like that,” Ms Luna said.
Surveillance footage showed four people launching a relentless attack on the cashier, as members of the public and other employees tried to intervene.
Luna told reporters the suspected attacker had earlier threatened to come back with her daughters, after being called out for skipping the line while trying to cash in recyclables, reports the New York Post.
She recalled: “There were two other women in line and she came around and handed me the ticket and I asked her, I said, ‘Miss, is it your turn? Did she give you her turn?,’ I asked, pointing to the woman who was waiting in line."
“She said, ‘B****, that’s not your business. You better just give me my money,'” Luna said. “‘I’m going to kick your a**. I’m going to f****** kill you. I’m going to bring my daughters and we’re all going to kick your a**!’
“I took her ticket and gave her her money, about $15,” she said. “I was terrified.”
Store manager Jose Minaya tried to defuse the situation, even taking Luna to the back of the shop to hide out, but the suspects waited outside.
In footage taken outside, you can see a woman beckon others over, before they charge in and start the attack.
Minaya said there were five attackers in all.
A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed police were called to the scene at about 1.15pm on Sunday February 26.
The victim declined medical assistance.
Although no arrests have yet been made, investigations continue.
Advocacy group Collective Action to Protect Our Stores called on politicians to do more to protect workers.
It said: “Beyond the statistics on retail thefts going up, these are people — many immigrants — who are being attacked when stores are robbed.
“We need our leaders in City Hall and Albany to step up to protect our workers, and stores, and ensure customers can shop in safety.”
