Friends and customers left flowers and balloons ahead of a candlelight vigil Wednesday night for a DeKalb County supermarket cashier. Credit: Channel 2 Action News
By Shaddi Abusaid
Longtime employee, 41, was killed over supermarket’s mask requirement, police say
Two days after a beloved cashier was shot to death while working at a DeKalb County supermarket, the woman’s family said they’re just trying to keep it together.
There was a growing memorial outside the Big Bear Supermarket on Wednesday evening as customers, friends and colleagues gathered for a candlelight vigil. Mourners left flowers, balloons and signed posters as they remembered 41-year-old Laquitta Willis.
Laquitta Willis was gunned down Monday afternoon by a disgruntled customer, police said. Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Willis, who worked at the Candler Road store for more than decade, was gunned down Monday afternoon by a disgruntled customer following an argument over a mask requirement, DeKalb police said. Two others were taken to the hospital after the fatal shooting spiraled into an exchange of gunfire that injured both the suspect charged in Willis’ death and an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who tried to intervene.
Among those gathered to pay their respects Wednesday was longtime customer Dorothy Ramsey, who described Willis as friendly and hard-working.
“She was very nice,” Ramsey told Channel 2 Action News. “I’ve been knowing her 10 years, ever since she came here, and she always helped me and my family.”
Willis’ cousin, Phyllis Andrews, stood outside the door greeting those who brought flowers and donations to help fund the woman’s funeral. She told the news station she was overwhelmed by the steady stream of supporters.
Some who had never even met Willis stopped by to pay their respects. B.B. Broughton was among those who brought donations to help fund the cashier’s burial.
“My heart went out to the family and this is the least I could do at a time like this,” Broughton told Channel 2. “We all need to stick together and help each other, so I just came by to give a little donation to help the family out and express my condolences.”
The supermarket remained closed as Willis’ colleagues grieved, but the parking lot was full of cars about 6 p.m.
“It lets me know that my cousin was very loved (by) the community,” Andrews said. “Even when I got here, there was a crowd of people outside. That makes me know the love is here.”
Customers and loved ones gathered for a candlelight vigil for the DeKalb County grocery store cashier. Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Monday’s shooting started as an argument between Willis and a shopper, Victor Lee Tucker Jr., over wearing his face mask in the store, authorities said.
Tucker, 30, of Palmetto, initially left the store without making a purchase, but returned a short time later with a gun, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.
“Tucker walked directly back to the cashier, pulled out a handgun and shot her,” Miles said in a news release. “Tucker then began shooting at a (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office) deputy who was attempting to intervene while working off-duty at the supermarket. The deputy and Tucker exchanged gunfire, and both were wounded during the shootout.”
The deputy, 54-year-old Danny Jordan, was struck twice. The bulletproof vest he was wearing saved his life, Sheriff Melody Maddox said. Tucker remained hospitalized Wednesday evening and Jordan is still recovering from his injuries, officials said.
While she appreciates the support, Andrews said she and her family are still trying to come to terms with her cousin’s senseless death.
“We’re not OK. We’re not OK at all. At this moment, we’re just trying to stay strong for each other,” she said. “It’s like reality is really starting to sink in.”
Read the original story on AJC.com.
