A 52-year-old employee at a Mississippi Waffle House was shot and killed by Johnny Max Mount, 45, after the server asked him to not smoke in the restaurant. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. Nov 27 at the Biloxi Waffle House, according to ABC.
The Waffle House employee had worked at the restaurant for the past eight years, reported Southwest Times Record, and was known for her kind demeanor and friendliness.
Sgt. Donny Dobbs, of the Biloxi police force, said that the woman died on her way to the hospital after being shot once in the head, reported Business Standard. Her name has not yet been released as the police are in the process of contacting her loved ones.
Mount surrendered to police as soon as they arrived at the restaurant. He was charged with first degree murder and is now being held on a $2 million bond at the Harrison County Jail, according to the Southwest Times Record. Mount had no previous felonies, but had been charged with misdemeanor violations.
"I just don't understand why somebody would be so upset over a cigarette," said Biloxi Police Chief John Miller, according to the Southwest Times Record.
Pat Warner, vice president at Waffle House's Atlanta corporate office, said: "Our associates are in shock over the whole incident. It's a senseless tragedy. We lost a very good associate who was loved by her co-workers and her customers. I've been with Waffle House for 16 years and don't recall anything like this. You really can't describe how you feel."
The restaurant was closed after the shooting, but has since reopened.