Family charged in murder of store security guard who tried to enforce face mask rules

On Friday, the security guard, Calvin Munerlyn, was shot after telling Sharmel Teague's daughter that she could not enter the store without a mask in downtown Flint, Michigan.

An argument broke out between Munerlyn, 43, and Teague, 45, before she left the store, according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. Her husband and son returned later and that's when the shooting occurred.

Sharmel Teague, husband Larry Teague, 44 and son Ramonyea Bishop, 23 have all been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and gun charges.

In addition, Larry Teague is charged with violating the state's executive order that mandates all customers and employees wear face masks while inside grocery stores.

Prosecutor Leyton said that Romonyea Bishop was identified by witnesses as the shooter, who shot Munerlyn in the back of the head.

Sharmel Teague was arrested and police are still on the hunt for her husband, Larry, and son, Ramonyea. Their daughter has not been charged in connection with the shooting.

"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," said Leyton on Monday said in a statement.

This shooting comes during a week that also saw a heated protest by those protesting Governor Gretchen Whitmer's expansive lockdown orders. Anti-lockdown protestors took to the state capitol, demanding that the state reopen its economy and lift stay-at-home orders.

Michigan currently has 43,754 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported as of Monday with 4,049 coronavirus-related deaths, and nearly 16,000 recoveries.

"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 realize or anticipate," Leyton told reporters.

"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."

On Sunday night, a candlelit vigil was held that was attended by about 150 people and on Monday, the Family Dollar was host to a makeshift memorial.

"They didn't have to take my baby and it wasn't that serious," said Munerlyn's mother, Bernadett. "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."

"It is incredibly sad that in this crisis that this life was lost," said Michigan Governor Whitmer on Monday. "We are mindful of how important it is that people keep a level head, that we do the right things protecting ourselves and protecting others."