Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged three individuals in the killing of a security guard at a Family Dollar store just north of downtown Flint during an argument over a state order for shoppers to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A 23-year-old man, 44-year-old man, and 45-year-old woman, all of Flint, have been charged with first-degree murder and weapons charges in the May 1 shooting death of 43-year-old guard Calvin James Munerlyn.
About 150 people gather to commemorate the life of Calvin Munerlyn on Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Flint. Munerlyn, 43, was shot and killed Friday, May 1 at the Family Dollar store off of East Fifth Avenue in Flint. He’d worked at the store as a security guard for a little more than one year.
(Jake May | MLive.com/TNS)
The shooting took place around 1:45 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at the store off East Fifth Avenue, north of downtown Flint.
It’s alleged the 45-year-old woman and Munerlyn, who was working as a security guard at the time, got into a verbal dispute after he told the woman’s daughter she needed to wear a face mask while inside the store.
The woman’s daughter then left the store, but her mother began to yell at Munerlyn. He told the mother to leave the store and instructed a cashier not to serve her, according to investigative reports of the incident turned over to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
About 150 people gather to commemorate the life of Calvin Munerlyn on Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Flint. Munerlyn, 43, was shot and killed Friday, May 1 at the Family Dollar store off of East Fifth Avenue in Flint. He’d worked at the store as a security guard for a little more than one year.
(Jake May | MLive.com/TNS)
A short time later, the mother returned to the store with her 44-year-old husband and her 23-year-old son and confronted Munerlyn.
The 23-year-old man is accused of pulling put a gun and shooting Munerlyn in the back of the head, Leyton said.
Munerlyn was transported to Hurley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
About 150 people gather to commemorate the life of Calvin Munerlyn on Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Flint. Munerlyn, 43, was shot and killed Friday, May 1 at the Family Dollar store off of East Fifth Avenue in Flint. He’d worked at the store as a security guard for a little more than one year.
(Jake May | MLive.com/TNS)
“The death of Calvin Munerlyn is senseless and tragic and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent under the law,” said Leyton. “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.”
The order calls for people to wear masks while inside an enclosed building.
Leyton added it’s important the governor’s order “be respected and adhered to, and for someone to lose their life over it is beyond comprehension.”
About 150 people gather to commemorate the life of Calvin Munerlyn on Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Flint. Munerlyn, 43, was shot and killed Friday, May 1 at the Family Dollar store off of East Fifth Avenue in Flint. He’d worked at the store as a security guard for a little more than one year.
(Jake May | MLive.com/TNS)
The 45-year-old woman is in custody and awaiting arraignment on the felony charges.
Her son and husband are still being sought by police, with Leyton warning anyone helping the pair in evading law enforcement may also be charged with a crime.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911.
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