Cops: Man Kills Waffle House Employee Over Smoking Policy

He allegedly shot her in the head when she asked him not to smoke
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 27, 2015 7:00 PM CST
Cops: Man Kills Waffle House Employee Over Smoking Policy
Johnny Max Mount   (Harrison County Jail)

A customer pulled out a gun and shot and killed an employee at a Waffle House restaurant in Mississippi on Friday after she asked him not to smoke, police said. Police received a call about the shooting shortly after 1am local time, said Biloxi police Sgt. Donnie Dobbs. The customer, Johnny Max Mount, had argued with an employee after being told that he couldn't smoke, Dobbs said. "He pulled out a handgun and shot her in the head," Dobbs said. The woman died on the way to the hospital, he said. The suspect was outside the restaurant when police arrived and surrendered without incident. He's been charged with first- degree murder and is being held on $2 million bond at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, police said.

The victim's name has not been released as authorities try to locate her next of kin. The Sun Herald newspaper reported that Mount was 45 and lived in Biloxi. The Waffle House restaurant in Biloxi has a nonsmoking policy, said Kelly Thrasher-Bruner, a spokesperson for the restaurant chain. "This senseless tragedy is a shock for the Waffle House family. Our associate was a friend to many as well as a valued member of the Waffle House team for eight years as a salesperson. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with her family, friends, co-workers, and customers," Thrasher-Bruner said. The restaurant has since reopened, she said. (More Waffle House stories.)

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