Off-duty police pepper spray NC shoppers

A video posted on YouTube depicts the incident in which security used pepper spray on shoppers in Kinston, N.C.

By msnbc.com staff and NBC News

An off-duty police officer used pepper spray Friday on shoppers at a Wal-Mart in Kinston, N.C., NBC station WITN of Washington, N.C., reported.

Kinston police Sgt. Roland Davis said an off-duty officer the store had hired to help with security during Black Friday shopping used the chemical while trying to make an arrest during a disturbance.

Angel Bunting, who was shopping at the store, said a man fell into a display as people lined up for discounted cell phones. She said she believed it was an accident but security thought there was a fight.

About 20 people, including children, were affected by the pepper spray, she alleged, but that couldn't be confirmed.

In a video of the even posted on YouTube, which you can watch above, people are seen covering their noses and mouths before police handcuff a man.

A full roundup of Black Friday violence is here.

Source - http://pheedo.msnbc.msn.com/click.phdo?i=e70970849b0bbf58f626e6823d41403e