Wife Says Flint Dollar Store Security Guard Killed Over Face Mask Dispute

The wife of a Flint dollar store security guard who was shot and killed May 1 said her husband’s shooting arose from a dispute over him not allowing a customer to enter the store without a face mask.

The wife of the victim wrote about the shooting on her personal Facebook page. She told Michigan Capitol Confidential in a text message that the shooting was due to a dispute over wearing a face mask. The woman asked that her name not be published for safety reasons, because the suspects were still at large. She said she was the victim’s wife and they had been together for 20 years and had eight children.

Other Facebook and Twitter posts on the accounts of people who were friends of the victim are also saying the dispute was over a face mask.

On the Flint Michigan Scanners Facebook page, a woman who said she was present at the shooting wrote: ”The Girl Came To The Store The Security Guard Said You Can't Come In Without A Mask So The Girl Went Back And Told A Male Family Member What Happened The Guy Came Back To The Came [sic] In Asked Who Harassed My Daughter And The Security Guard Said She Couldn't Come In Without A Mask And The Guy Just Shot Him In The Head I Was Standing In The Back Of The Store While This Was Happening.”

A GoFundMe page to raise money for the victim stated: “Duper was 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. He leaves behind 8 amazing kids, a super loving wife, & his wonderful mother.”

The social media accounts say that the security guard stopped a woman from entering the store without a face mask. The woman left and returned with another person who shot the security guard.

The Michigan State Police have not released any details on the shooter’s motive. The department’s Flint post was closed Sunday, and it did not respond to an email seeking comment.

An executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requires Michigan residents to wear a face mask when in an enclosed public place, but it states that no penalties will be assessed for members of the public not wearing a face mask.

Some stores and chains in Michigan are allowing customers to enter without wearing a face mask.

It’s unclear how Family Dollar set its policy. The Flint store didn’t answer its phone on Sunday. The Family Dollar headquarters media relations didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on its policy.