Security guard 'shot in the head for asking daughter to wear face mask in store'

The father and son are still on the run 
Ellena Cruse5 May 2020
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Three family members have been charged with murder after a security guard was shot in the head for telling a daughter to wear a facemask in a shop.

Calvin James Munerlyn, 43, got into a verbal dispute with customer Sharmel Lashe Teague after her daughter did not comply with Covid-19 pandemic precautions at the Family Dollar Store in Flint, Michigan.

After Mr Munerlyn warned Teague's daughter to put a face covering on, the mother started shouting and spitting at him on May 1 at 1.40pm local time, officials said.

He told the cashier not to serve the family and they left the store only to come back with husband, Larry Edward Teague, 44 and her son Ramonyea Travon Bishop, 23.

Michigan is one of the hardest-hit states in the US by the pandemic and an executive order has been issued ordering all customers to wear face masks while shopping. As of Monday, 43,754 in the area have been infected with coronavirus and 4,049 have died.

Bishop is then alleged to have pulled a gun and shot Mr Munerlyn through the back of his head.

City of Flint police were called to the shop and found Mr Munerlyn on the floor, unconscious and bleeding.

He was transported to the Hurley Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Sharmel Lashe Teague was arrested on suspicion of first degree premeditated murder and a firearm charge.

Larry Edward Teague, Sharmel Lashe Teague and Ramonyea Travon Bishop have been charged with murder 

Her husband and son are still at large but charged with the same offences and additional charges including carrying a concealed weapon.

Office of Genesee Country Prosecutor, David Leyton, said the death of the security guard was "senseless and tragic" and those responsible will be held accountable to the "fullest extent" of the law.

"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," he said.

"It is important that the Governor's order be respected and adhered to and for someone to lose their life over it is beyond comprehension."

Calvin James Munerlyn was shot in the head while working as a security guard
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Sharmel Lashe Teague is in custody and awaiting arraignment in the 67th District Court. Larry Teague and Bishop are being sought by police and prosecutors warned that anyone assisting them may be charged with a crime.

Around 150 people attended a candlelight vigil for the security guard on Sunday night and a makeshift memorial was later seen outside the Family Dollar store.

Mr Munerlyn’s mother, Bernadett, said she wants justice for her son.

“They didn’t have to take my baby and it wasn’t that serious,” she said.

“All you people just have to do is listen to the law, listen to the governor. Just stay home. If you don’t have to come out, then you wouldn’t need a mask unless you’re out getting groceries or necessities. All my baby was doing was his job working and doing his job.”

The news comes as gun-carrying protesters and other demonstrators rallied inside the state Capitol on Thursday, calling for coronavirus-related restrictions to be lifted. Some protesters with guns — which are allowed in the statehouse — went to the Senate gallery. Some senators wore bulletproof vests.

Prosecutor David Leyton said: “The hostile tone that we have seen in recent days on television and in social media can permeate our society in ways we sometimes don’t fully realise or anticipate.

“Decisions like staying home when we can, wearing a mask when going to the store and staying a safe distance from those around us — these should not be political arguments. They don’t necessitate acts of defiance, and we simply cannot devolve into an 'us versus them' mentality.”

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