Incident began after argument with customer over wearing of face mask, says county sheriff
A supermarket cashier in Georgia was shot and killed by a customer in an argument over the wearing of face mask, according to a report.
The incident took place on Monday, June 14, at a little after 1 p.m. at the Big Bear Supermarket in DeKalb County. Several people were at the store when it occurred.
The suspect pulled out a gun and shot the cashier, Reuters reported. The supermarket security guard then opened fire at the gunman and hit him a couple of times.
The identities of the three were not revealed. However, Reuters reported that the security guard is a retired 30-year veteran of the DeKalb County Police Department who is now a reserve deputy with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
The guard, who works part-time at the supermarket, was wearing a protective vest, said DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox.
“It was over a mask. I don’t know if they were wearing, or not wearing,” said Maddox in a news conference. “The wearing of the mask and not wearing of the mask, people have their own opinion about it and it is very sensitive at this time.”
“This must stop! Retail workers are not the enemy!” said Todd Walters, President of UFCW Local 135, in a tweet.
Executive orders from the office of Governor Brian Kemp note that businesses in Georgia can request customers wear a mask to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but are prohibited from requiring them to do so.
In November 2020, British Columbia said that medical or non-medical masks that cover the nose and mouth must be worn in indoor public places.
A month earlier, Ontario required the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces.
