### Life-Altering Encounter: A Pregnant Mother’s Experience at Circle K
For many, a visit to the gas station is a mundane part of daily life—fueling a car, grabbing a quick snack, or redeeming loyalty rewards. However, for Rev. Deria Francis Stukes, a routine stop at a Circle K in Bowling Green, Ohio, morphed into a nightmarish encounter that would leave lasting emotional and physical scars. Stukes, pregnant and traveling with her sons from South Carolina to Detroit for a conference, found herself in a situation that would result in tragedy and trauma.
### The Incident Unfolds
On May 23, 2025, Stukes walked into the gas station to inquire about canceling a transaction in order to utilize her Circle K fuel rewards. What began as a simple request quickly escalated when the clerk, 28-year-old Shannon Walsh, reacted with hostility. Stukes recounts Walsh’s response as disproportionate, claiming, “She went on about why she couldn’t cancel it… I was like, ‘Why are you being so nasty to me?’”
The tension in the air was palpable. Walsh’s reactions were not only unprofessional but seemed to cross into the realm of personal hostility. In a troubling moment, Stukes reported hearing racial slurs directed toward her and even toward others in the store.
### A Physical Assault
Things took a violent turn when Walsh allegedly threw a jar of change at Stukes, hitting her in the stomach. Surveillance footage captured the escalating violence: Walsh emerged from behind the counter, physically grabbed Stukes by the hair, and proceeded to punch her repeatedly. The incident was witnessed by Stukes’ sons, who, understandably shaken, did not know how to react. Stukes was forced to instruct her 13-year-old son to fetch his father, an unsettling moment for any mother.
### Legal Implications and Emotional Toll
In the aftermath of this shocking event, Stukes experienced profound emotional distress. She explained to media outlets, including WTVG 13 ABC News, that losing a child at such a critical stage of pregnancy was devastating. “Losing a child, whether it was a full-blown baby or just a small fetus, you still lost a child—and the way it happened was really, really traumatizing,” she stated.
Charles Boyk, Stukes’ attorney, addressed the legal ramifications, asserting that Walsh’s treatment of Stukes was not just an isolated incident but a failure of Circle K to provide a safe environment. In a press release, Boyk emphasized that Walsh had used derogatory terms against Stukes, referring to her as “an animal” and “ghetto.” Following the altercation, Bowling Green Police arrested Walsh, who later pleaded no contest to the assault charges.
### The Lawsuit and Public Response
The Stukes family is now seeking $75,000 in damages through a lawsuit against Circle K. The filing alleges that Walsh, “a Circle K employee acting within the scope of her employment,” not only assaulted Stukes but did so in a manner that demonstrated a clear disregard for safety. The claim centers around Circle K’s failure to properly train or supervise their staff, thereby allowing a culture where violence and discrimination could manifest.
Boyk stated, “This never should have happened. Rev. Francis was a pregnant mother simply trying to redeem a routine store loyalty reward.” He urges the public to consider the severity of the situation: a mother seeking a small act of savings turned into a horrific confrontation that resulted in both physical harm and emotional trauma.
### Call for Accountability
This disturbing incident raises essential questions about workplace safety, employee training, and customer treatment in spaces meant to serve the public. The Stukes family’s ordeal underscores the necessity for businesses to actively foster environments devoid of hostility and discrimination. As the legal proceedings unfold, eyes are focused on what this case could mean for both victims of such violence and the policies of businesses like Circle K.