Naked Florida Man Sparks Panic Inside Hobby Lobby During Holiday Shopping Rush

Holiday shoppers got a surprise on Monday night in Panama City, Florida, when police responded to reports of a naked man causing a disturbance inside a Hobby Lobby.

According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 7:45 PM, as customers were inside the store doing last-minute Christmas shopping. Shoppers said an unidentified man ran into the Hobby Lobby after allegedly stripping naked outside a nearby dental office.

Witnesses Say Man Grabbed At Them

Several people inside the store described the moment as chaotic and frightening. A witness told News 13 the man entered the store unclothed, leaving shoppers and employees unsure how to respond.

Witness Portia Mixon said the man followed her through the store and grabbed her multiple times.

“All the employees ran to the back, and I said, Can I run back there with you?…I ran back there, and then he came right back there after me. And then I ran to the opposite side, and then he came in a circle and ran right after me and grabbed me twice.

They pulled him back, and then … they said, “Run.” And so I ran out…then all of a sudden he came out and came to me again…And so I just ran straight to the flower department. And I called my boyfriend, and he said, “grab something sharp.” …And then I heard the cops come in”

Once officers arrived, Panama City police entered the store and used a taser to subdue the man. Witnesses said the man was later rolled out of the store on a stretcher.

Bystanders said the incident left them rattled,

Another witness, Billy Lee, said,

“I turned around, and there was a butt naked guy coming at us.“I don’t need my gifts anymore. I’m good. I’ll get them at Walmart.”

Witnesses said it appeared the man may have been experiencing a mental health crisis.

Police have not publicly identified the man, but he was taken to a local hospital.