Man accused of pushing, punching girl outside Asheville Mall

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Police are investigating after a 51-year-old man was caught on camera pushing and punching a girl in the face outside of Asheville Mall.

According to WLOS, a fight involving juveniles broke out at the mall on Saturday night.

Police believe David Steven Bell was the man seen assaulting the child.

Video footage shared on social media shows a man pushing a child. When the child approaches the man, he punches the child, knocking them to the sidewalk.

Police spokeswoman Christina Hallingse told the Asheville Citizen Times two 13-year-old girls said Bell pushed them as well, leading to charges of assault on a female. An incident report provided no details. Hallingse cited a state statue prohibiting the release of information involving a juvenile.

Bell was arrested by an off-duty officer and charged with one count of assault on a female under 12 and two counts of assault on a female.

Officials did not comment on the girl's condition.