VIDEO: US waitress shot dead after asking customer not to smoke

A Mississippi waitress was shot and killed by a customer after she asked him not to smoke.

Julie Brightwell of Biloxi was a 52-year-old long-time waitress at a Waffle House who spent some of her final moments asking patrons how they enjoyed their Thanksgiving.

WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.

Biloxi police charged 45-year-old Johnny Max Mount with first-degree murder.

They said he shot Ms Brightwell early on Friday after she asked him not to smoke.

Fire Chief Joe Boney told The Sun Herald that Mount is a former firefighter who was badly injured in a 2002 traffic accident.

Customer Richard Bonin said Ms Brightwell served him and two friends just before she was shot.

Though she was tired, he said, she asked if they had a good Thanksgiving.