A violent assault sent a security guard to the hospital and turned the Apple Store in Chelsea into a crime scene Friday night over a mask policy, according to police.

Authorities say the store on West 14th Street in Manhattan closed early, around 6:30 p.m., after a customer allegedly stabbing the store's security guard. Investigators say the attack followed the customer's frustration with the store's COVID-19 mask requirement.

By the time officers responded to the location, the attacker had already fled.

Preliminary information from police officials suggests the suspect was wearing a black mask, a black shirt and blue jeans.

Officers say the 37-year-old security guard was being treated at a nearby hospital and is expected to survive.