The parents of Michael Grace Jr. are upset at the employee who shot and killed their son after he attempted to rob a Pizza Hut earlier this Month.
Temia Hairston and Michael Grace Sr. believe that the armed employee had no business using deadly force against their son when he, along with two other suspects, entered the Pizza Hut on Freedom Drive in Charlotte, NC, with the intent to rob the restaurant.
Temia Hairston and Michael Grace Sr. (Photo: WBTV)
“If there was to be a death, it was not the place of the employee at Pizza Hut. That is the place of law enforcement,” said Hairston in an interview with WBTV.
Hariston said that her son wasn’t going to hurt anyone and had resorted to crime because he fell on hard times and had to provide for his own infant son.
“It was an act of desperation, but I do not believe that Michael would have hurt anyone,” said Hairston.
Hairston and Grace Sr. believe that there’s more to the story than what’s been reported thus far, indicating that the employee that shot Grace Jr. could have had a personal beef with him. Although it wasn’t confirmed, they claim Grace Jr. had worked at that Pizza Hut in the past and had issues with co-workers.
“Why in the hell did this guy have a gun?” asked Hairston with respect to the armed employee.
“This wasn’t a body shot. This was a head shot. My son was shot in the left side of his head just behind his ear. A headshot is personal,” added Hairston.
Police have not yet addressed those accusations, saying in a statement, “The investigation is still ongoing, any new information will be released by Public Affairs.”
Michael Grace Jr. (Photo: WBTV)
Pizza Hut has also released a statement on the matter.
“The local Pizza Hut franchisee is fully cooperating with the Charlotte Police Department as they continue their investigation, but want to stress that the security of its staff is of utmost concern. They are providing support to the team members involved to ensure their health and well-being following this incident. The employee involved in the shooting has been placed on a leave of absence following further review.”
Meanwhile, Hairston and Grace Sr. contend the employee ought to face criminal charges for killing their son.
“Even a criminal has a right to a degree,” said Grace Sr., adding, “I’m not advocating what my son did.”