A law-abiding clerk was fired for defending her life with a legal firearm, while corporate leaders reportedly suggested she should have thrown a Slurpee at her attacker instead, igniting national outrage over the erosion of self-defense rights in the workplace.

Clerk Fired After Defending Herself Against Violent Attack

Just before midnight, Stephanie Dilyard faced a nightmare scenario while working alone at a 7-Eleven in Oklahoma City. When customer Kenneth Thompson attempted to pass a counterfeit bill and escalated to physical violence, threatening to kill her and strangling her, Dilyard drew her legally owned firearm and shot her attacker in self-defense. Police quickly confirmed her actions were justified under Oklahoma’s clear “stand your ground” laws, which allow citizens to use force, including deadly force, when facing an immediate threat of death or serious harm.

Despite acting within the law, Dilyard was fired by 7-Eleven’s corporate management for violating the company’s policy on firearms on the premises. According to Dilyard, management told her she should have used a Slurpee machine or other non-lethal method to fend off her attacker—a statement that rapidly became a viral meme and a rallying cry against what many see as the absurdity and danger of corporate overreach. The firing triggered a wave of public outrage, with many Americans seeing the incident as a direct attack on the right to self-defense and a disturbing example of how corporate liability concerns can trump common sense and employee safety.

Corporate Policy Versus the Right to Self-Defense

Large retail chains like 7-Eleven have long enforced strict, zero-tolerance policies banning employees from carrying or using firearms on the job, even in states where self-defense laws are robust. These policies are designed to minimize corporate liability and avoid escalation during criminal incidents.

However, critics argue that such rules leave workers defenseless and send a chilling message: company property matters more than employee lives. The tension between state law and corporate policy has come to a head in the Dilyard case, highlighting the growing clash between American constitutional rights and risk-averse corporate culture.

Oklahoma’s “stand your ground” statutes were enacted to ensure that citizens are not forced to choose between their job and their life. Yet, as this case demonstrates, private companies can—and do—override these protections via internal rules, leaving employees vulnerable to both criminal violence and career-ending consequences if they dare defend themselves. The viral “Slurpee” comment has become a symbol of the disconnect between everyday American values and the priorities of corporate boardrooms, where liability often outweighs liberty.

Public Outcry, Legal Debate, and National Implications

The firing of Stephanie Dilyard has sparked a nationwide conversation about workplace safety, the right to self-defense, and the limits of corporate authority.

Outrage erupted across social media and conservative circles, with many seeing the case as yet another example of woke, corporate America undermining traditional values and the constitutional rights of everyday citizens. A GoFundMe campaign supporting Dilyard garnered significant donations, while petitions and calls for 7-Eleven to reverse its decision continue to circulate.

Legal and retail safety experts agree that the incident exposes a dangerous gap between what the law allows and what corporations permit. While Dilyard’s self-defense was legally justified, her firing underscores a broader trend of corporate policies penalizing employees who refuse to be victims. Conservative advocates warn that if companies continue to prioritize liability over liberty, it could lead to an America where the right to protect oneself is sacrificed at the altar of risk management and public relations.

Sources:

News 4 San Antonio: 7-Eleven clerk fired after shooting attacker in self-defense

Fox San Antonio (KABB): 7-Eleven clerk fired after shooting attacker in self-defense

KTUL: 7-Eleven clerk fired after shooting attacker in self-defense