Waitress shot dead by restaurant customer she asked to stop smoking

A RESTAURANT waitress died when shot in the head after asking a customer to put out his cigarette.

Johnny Mount pulled a 9mm pistol from his shirt and shot 52-year-old mother of two Julie Brightwell who worked at a smoke-free Waffle House in the coastal city of Biloxi in Mississippi.

Mount, 45, a former fireman, had lit a cigarette when Brightwell, who had worked at the restaurant for eight years, went over and told him to put it out about 1am Friday.

“I just don’t understand why somebody would be so upset over a cigarette,” Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said. “Some stuff like this just defeats logic.”

Customer Richard Bonin told the SunHerald that Brightwell had served him and his two friends just before she was shot.

“I was just in shock when I found out,” he said. “It gave me the chills. It’s just a weird feeling to think we might have been her last customers.”

Bonin said the Waffle House where Brightwell work was “my favourite.”

“She was so friendly,” he said. “She sat down and talked to us. It wasn’t too busy then, just a few more people in booths.”

Mother of two children ... Julie Brightwell, 52, simply asked customer Johnny Mount to put out his cigarette. Picture: gofundmeSource:Supplied

She asked Bonin and his friends if they were having a good thanksgiving.

“She told us she was tired, but she was making the whole conversation about us,” he said.

“I just can’t believe this,” he said. “She was honestly so nice.”

Mount remained seated after the shooting.

“The individual was still sitting there and they took him into custody,” Biloxi Police Department Sergeant Donnie Dobbs told The Clarion Ledger.

“This senseless tragedy is a shock for the Waffle House family,” Waffle House said in a statement.

“Julie was a friend to many as well as a valued member of the Waffle House team. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with her family, friends, co-workers and customers.”

Shot dead over a simple request ... Waitress Julie Brightwell (right), pictured with her friend Linda Kilpatrick, had worked at a Waffle House in Biloxi, Mississippi, for eight years. Picture: gofundmeSource:Supplied

Mount, who was a Biloxi firemen for eight years until a road accident in 2002, was charged with first degree murder and put into Harrison County Jail pending $2 million bail.

“He was a good person,” said family friend Rebecca Berry.

“He wasn’t a monster. I don’t know, something just snapped. I don’t know of any other volatile things that he’s ever done. I know his mother is devastated.”

Charged with first degree murder ... Johnny Max Mount is in custody pending a $2 million bail. Picture: Harrison County Sheriff's OfficeSource:Supplied

A gofundme account has been set up to help towards Brightwell’s funeral costs.