One of the three suspects in the May 1 shooting death of a security guard at a Family Dollar store was arraigned Tuesday in Flint, Michigan, according to MLive.com.
Sharmel L. Teague, 45, of Flint, who appeared on a TV screen and reportedly wore a cloth mask, was arraigned by Genesee District Judge Nathaniel C. Perry on first-degree murder and felony firearm charges, MLive.com reported.
Security guard Calvin James Munerlyn, 43, allegedly was shot and killed during an argument about a Michigan state order for shoppers to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, MLive.com reported.
Three people were charged with first-degree premeditated murder and weapons charges, according to MLive.com.
Besides Sharmel L. Teague, her husband, Larry Teague, 44, and her son, Ramonyea Bishop, 23, are facing the charges, according to MLive.com, citing Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
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The shooting happened about 1:45 p.m. Friday, north of downtown Flint, according to The Associated Press.
Credit: Jake May
Credit: Jake May
Munerlyn refused to let the woman’s daughter enter a Family Dollar because she wasn’t wearing a face mask to protect against transmission of the coronavirus.
Munerlyn was shot a short time after telling Sharmel Teague’s daughter she had to leave because she lacked a mask, according to Leyton.
Teague reportedly argued with Munerlyn before leaving. Two men later came to the store.
Larry Teague also has been charged with violating Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's executive order mandating that all customers and employees must wear face coverings inside grocery stores, Leyton said.
Witnesses identified Bishop as the man who shot Munerlyn in the back of the head, Leyton said.
Police were looking for her husband and son.
Credit: Jake May
Credit: Jake May
No information has been released about the daughter, who has not been charged in 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,” Leyton said earlier Monday in a statement.
On Thursday, gun-carrying protesters and other demonstrators rallied inside the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, 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.
“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 Monday. “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.”
About 150 people attended a candlelight vigil Sunday night. On Monday, a makeshift memorial was started outside the Family Dollar.
Credit: Jake May
Credit: Jake May
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.”
Whitmer offered her condolences.
“It is incredibly sad that in this crisis that this life was lost,” Whitmer told reporters Monday. “We are mindful of how important it is that people keep a level head, that we do the right thing protecting ourselves and others.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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