Houston Man Pepper-Sprayed After Asking to Use Restroom During Medical Emergency

HOUSTON, Texas (TXAN 24)— A 53-year-old African American man with diabetes says he was pepper-sprayed at a Valero gas station in Houston after requesting to use the restroom during what he described as a medical emergency.

According to the man, the sequence of events unfolded as follows:

• He entered the Valero gas station and asked the clerk to use the restroom.

• The clerk refused, saying the bathrooms were closed.

• He informed both the clerk and an on-site security guard that it was a medical emergency.

• He grabbed a cup and went toward an open office room.

• The security guard immediately pepper-sprayed him.

• Security instructed him to urinate outside, despite public urination being illegal.

• While still affected by pepper spray, he urinated outside.

• Both he and the security guard called police.

• Houston police arrived at the scene.

• No arrests were made, but a case number for assault was created.

As of now, Valero has not issued a public statement about the incident.