A customer at the Home Depot in West Hartford allegedly called the cashier a derogatory slur and referenced the Orlando shooting that killed 49 people at a gay club in Florida, police said.
Police responded to a complaint regarding a hostile customer at the Home Depot located on 503 New Park Avenue at 11:25 on Wednesday morning.
The suspect began a harassing conversation about the cashier's sexuality after asking the employee why he was wearing gloves while working the register, West Hartford Police said.
The cashier told police the suspect called him a slur and referenced the deadly Orlando incident where a gunman opened fire at an LGBT nightclub on Sunday, according to police. The customer's comments were overheard by another employee.
The victim was able to take a photo of the suspect's car and license plate.
Police arrested Mario Interlandi, 71, of West Hartford shortly after.
Interlandi is accused of intimidation based on bigotry or bias and breach of peace. His bond was set at $25,000.
