Three people in Flint, Michigan, have been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing a Family Dollar security guard who was enforcing the state’s face mask mandate.
On Friday, Calvin Munerlyn, a 43-year-old father of eight, was shot and killed while on duty as a Family Dollar store security guard. The shooting took place after Munerlyn asked a group of customers to wear a face mask in compliance with coronavirus safety protocols. On Monday, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton charged two men and one woman with Munerlyn’s murder.
According to Leyton, the incident started when Sharmel Teague, 45, entered the store with her daughter, who was not wearing a mask. Munerlyn told Teague that all customers must wear a mask to be served in the store. The incident escalated with Teague spitting on Munerlyn and leaving the store.
Twenty minutes later, Teague returned with her husband and son, Larry Edward Teague, 44, and Ramonyea Travon Bishop, 23. The men accused Munerlyn of “disrespecting” Sharmel, and Bishop shot Munerlyn in the back of the head.
“From all indications, Mr. Munerlyn was simply doing his job in upholding the governor’s executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the safety of store employees and customers,” Leyton explained.
Sharmel Teague was arrested following the shooting. Bishop and Larry Teague are both still at large.
A GoFundMe page set up to benefit Munerlyn’s family described him as a “hard working, father and husband who lost his life while doing his job securing the place of business and asking all customers to wear a mask for our own safety as well as others.” The family has raised nearly $63,000.
