BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- A family grieving the loss of a 26-year-old woman, who the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said was shot and killed while working inside a Circle K on Feb. 1, has launched a petition drive.
Kim Jones, the aunt of the victim, has launched the petition. It seeks new legislation that would provide more protection for service employees working inside retail stores.
The MCSO said deputies responded to the scene of a shooting around 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at a Circle K in Harvest, where they discovered Taylor North had been shot and killed.
Witnesses told investigators a man walked up to the counter and shot the clerk. The sheriff’s office said 21-year-old Jahree Daiquan Williams has been arrested and charged with her murder.
“We hope that no other family and no other individual would have to go through what we’re going through now,” Jones said.
She would like to see legislation introduced referred to as “Taylor’s Law” that would mandate employers protect employees by providing safety barriers that are bulletproof.
Women outside a convenience store in Birmingham said they think it’s a good idea.
“I think it’s a great idea. I think that it’ll keep everybody safe inside the store,” Christle Beckwith said. “Especially with what happened recently.”
“There’s a club literally right across the street, and this gas station is actually really crowded on the weekends,” Kamille Black said.
“If something were to happen like a shootout, their workers are protected," Black continued. "It’s a great idea, and I feel like every gas station should have it.”
The employees inside said the barrier at the front of their store is bulletproof. Black said she has aunts who work at gas stations, so it is an issue that resonates with her.
North leaves behind a 5-year-old son.
The MCSO said it has not determined a motive in the shooting, and the suspect and the clerk did not know each other. For more information on the petition drive, click here.