Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler sprayed pepper spray on a man who approached him after he had dinner at a local pub on Sunday night, according to reports.
Wheeler was with former Portland Mayor Sam Adams when a man confronted them outside McMenamins Hillsdale Brewery and Public House, according to a police report obtained by The Oregonian.
The man allegedly complained that Wheeler and Adams did not wear masks during dinner.
The two were inside the restaurant tent, and Wheeler explained to the man that masks are not necessary during meals, KOIN reported.
Recording with his cell phone, the man, who was without a mask, followed Wheeler to the car.
“I was imminently concerned about my personal safety,” Wheeler later told authorities, as detailed in the police report.
Wheeler told the man to back off, but he refused.
“I informed him that I had pepper spray and that I would use it if he didn’t give up. He stayed close, I took off my pepper spray and sprayed it in my eyes, ”said the mayor in the report.
In a statement to The Oregonian, Wheeler’s spokesman Tim Becker acknowledged the incident.
“The mayor is cooperating with the police investigation and is encouraging others involved to do the same,” said Becker.
Sunday night was the second time this month that Wheeler was confronted while having dinner.
He was punched in the face while having dinner at Café Nell’s on January 6.