7-Eleven Clerk Fired After Shooting Attacker in Self-Defense

A 7-Eleven employee was let go after she shot an armed assailant during a violent encounter at work. The incident unfolded when the clerk, identified as Dilliard, was reportedly attacked by a man wielding a knife.

According to reports, the man, later identified as Kenneth Thompson, 59, was trying to choke Dilliard when she pulled out her firearm and fired at him, hitting him in the abdomen. Notably, the entire incident was recorded on surveillance video. Following the confrontation, Thompson managed to flee the store and called 911 to report the shooting.

While Dilliard suffered only minor injuries in the altercation, police confirmed that she acted within her rights under Oklahoma’s self-defense laws and was not initially arrested.

However, just days after the incident, 7-Eleven terminated her employment. The reason for her firing was cited as a violation of company policy, which prohibits employees from carrying firearms while on duty. Attempts to obtain a comment from 7-Eleven regarding the matter have been unsuccessful.

Dilliard expressed her feelings about the situation, stating that she would always prioritize her safety over her job. “This was a situation where I felt like I was put in a corner between choosing my job and my life,” she explained. “I’m always going to choose my life because there are people that depend on me.” She further emphasized her desire to return home to her children safely.

The community has responded with mixed feelings about the incident, emphasizing the difficult decisions faced by employees in high-risk work environments.