A shooting at a Decatur, Georgia Big Bear supermarket, reportedly stemming from an argument regarding wearing a face mask, has left a store cashier dead and two wounded, one of the wounded being the alleged gunman.

A press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation states:

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 1:10 p.m., a male customer entered a supermarket at 2849 Candler Road in Decatur.  While checking out, the customer, identified as Victor Lee Tucker, Jr., 30, of Palmetto, GA, got into an argument with a cashier about his face mask.  Tucker left the store without making his purchase, but immediately returned inside.  Tucker walked directly back to the cashier, pulled out a handgun and shot her.  Tucker then began shooting at a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DKSO) 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.  Two responding DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) officers arrested Tucker as he was attempting to crawl out the front door of the supermarket.

The cashier was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Tucker was also taken to Grady and is listed in stable condition.

The DKSO deputy is being treated for his wounds at Atlanta Medical Center and is in stable condition.

A second cashier was grazed by a bullet.  She was treated for her injury on scene.

The DKPD will be taking arrest warrants for Tucker.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation.  Once completed, it will be turned over to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Forgive me for now inserting myself into the story.

I work in retail, and have done so for many years, with a stint in the corporate world for good measure. I’ve seen it all, done it all, and endured it all. That said, nothing — nothing — has compared or can compare to the sheer vitriol of recent weeks emanating from customers belligerently refusing to wear a mask properly, or wear one at all, when in the store.

Yes, I am quite familiar with all of the arguments regarding COVID, masks, vaccines, and everything else involved in the mess. I am also quite familiar with the story of a coworker who had to leave her job to care for her parents who both came down with COVID. The mother died from it. So spare me the sanctimonious conspiracy theory nonsense.

I truly do not care if people get vaccinated or not. It is entirely up to the individual. I chose to get vaccinated. That was my call, based not on excessive paranoia but rather how interacting with anywhere from dozens to hundreds of people a day greatly enhances my chances of exposure. I also have coworkers who due to existing conditions, be it age or autoimmune system issues, are at high risk should they contract the disease. Getting immunized is extending common courtesy to them.

I have had customers throw every swear word in the book at me when I’ve asked them to please wear a mask. I’ve had every excuse from “I didn’t know it was mandatory” to “I can’t breathe in one” hurled my way. I’ve seen customers get into screaming matches and near fistfights over not wearing one. In short, I have seen it all, heard it all, and I’m sick of it all.

You want to strike a blow against an overreaching government, fine. Sign a recall petition against your governor. Actively work on campaigns for political candidates who make a stand. Educate others about the realities of COVID, and while you’re at it educate yourself about the lunacy of denying its reality. I suggest you start here at RedState for authentic truthful information.

But maybe, just maybe, while you’re at it, try being a decent human being instead of a living embodiment of MSM’s characterization of conservatives in general and Trump supporters in particular of being mouth-breathing knuckle-dragging slope-headed Neanderthals incapable of proper societal behavior. Try being the better. Try some courtesy. Try wearing a mask even as you’re calmly explaining to others with facts and reasons why it’s unnecessary. Try treating others as you yourself wish to be treated.

And say a prayer for the cashier’s family.