In August 2020, a tragic incident occurred at a Detroit gas station. Two customers were shot and killed by an unknown assailant while attempting to enter the store. The clerk on duty at the time, 23-year-old Sharmel Teague, has since been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly locking the door and refusing to let the customers inside before they were fatally shot.
Teague’s trial is set to begin on April 12, 2021. The case has garnered national attention and sparked a debate about the responsibility of store clerks in ensuring the safety of their customers.
According to prosecutors, Teague was aware of the danger outside the store and chose to lock the door instead of calling the police or warning the customers. They argue that her actions were reckless and contributed to the deaths of the two men.
Teague’s defense team, however, argues that she was simply following store policy, which required her to lock the door after a certain time. They also claim that Teague did not have a clear view of the parking lot and was not aware of any imminent danger.
The case raises important questions about the role of store clerks in ensuring customer safety. While it is not their job to act as security guards, they do have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect their customers from harm.
In this case, it is unclear whether Teague could have done anything differently to prevent the tragedy from occurring. However, her decision to lock the door instead of calling for help or warning the customers raises concerns about whether store policies prioritize convenience over safety.
The trial will likely focus on whether Teague’s actions were reasonable given the circumstances. It will also examine whether store policies played a role in the incident and whether they need to be revised to better prioritize customer safety.
Regardless of the outcome of the trial, this case serves as a reminder that store clerks have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect their customers. While they may not be able to prevent every tragedy, they should be prepared to act quickly and decisively in the face of danger.
