Autistic Dollar General worker claims he was accosted by angry customer for doing a good deed
GUNTOWN, MISS. (WCBI) – It began as an ordinary shift at the Dollar General on North Lee Drive but quickly escalated. Zakeius Buford says he was working behind the counter when he noticed a toddler with a runny nose. Trying to be helpful, he handed the child a tissue and suggested he wipe his nose.
“I was signaling to them to to blow their nose and wash their hands and all that,” Zakeius said.
Zakeius says the child’s mother got upset, uttered a few profanities and left. It was about an hour later, when Zakeius says the woman returned to the store, with her mother, and several other people. Footage from the store’s security camera was provided by Zakeius’ mother, Krunda Buford.
According to Zakeius, he was confronted in an aisle by the group.
‘When she came back with her mom and four other gentlemen, all wearing black, their faces covered, it became a problem, my lead manager showed up at the time, and stepped in and called the police on them,” Zakeius said.
Zakeius says the group left before police arrived. His mom, Krunda, says she posted the video and photos, to try and find the identity of those who confronted her son. She says the incident hit especially hard, because her son, who has level 1 autism, works hard to lead a normal life.
“His teachers and principals loved him, he worked hard to get where he is and I could be an outrageous mother pounding the street for justice, but I don’t want that, I want her to turn herself in, and let’s get this over,” Krunda said.
Zakeius hasn’t had any issues with customers since that incident a week or so ago. He and his mom encourage people to not make assumptions, think before they lash out and try a little kindness.
“Guntown Mississippi is not what it looks like, we are trying to stick together, everybody has a feeling , we want to be able to live out here, and want this man to go to work,” Krunda said.
‘People should think before they speak, and wonder , if he has something going on, most people don’t think about that, autism is like wearing glasses, some don’t mention it because they don’t suffer from it,” Zakeius said.
Police are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to come forward.
