Press Release: December 10, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lawsuit Filed after Violent Assault by Circle K Employee Leads to a Miscarriage

Charles Boyk Law Offices has filed a civil lawsuit in the Northern District of Ohio on behalf of Rev. Deria Francis, an eight-weeks-pregnant Black minister who miscarried after a violent assault at a Circle K gas station in Bowling Green, Ohio. The lawsuit, filed against Circle K and employee Shannon Walsh, alleges assault, battery, negligence, and related claims stemming from the May 23, 2025, incident.

Rev. Francis and her husband, Rev. Dathan Stukes were traveling from South Carolina to Detroit for a church conference when they stopped at the Circle K at 1602 East Wooster Street. After Rev. Francis asked cashier Shannon Walsh to cancel her transaction so she could enter her Circle K rewards number, a routine customer request, Walsh allegedly became hostile. According to the complaint, Walsh refused to cancel the transaction, yelled at Rev. Francis to “get the f*** out,” threw a jar of change at her stomach, and physically assaulted her in front of her two minor children.

The lawsuit, filed by Rev. Francis and Rev. Stukes, alleges that:

• Walsh, a Circle K employee acting within the scope of her employment, threw a jar of change that struck Rev. Francis’s stomach while she was eight weeks pregnant.
• When Rev. Francis attempted to leave, Walsh came out from behind the counter, grabbed her by the hair, slammed her into a drink cooler, and repeatedly struck her with a closed fist.
• During the attack, Walsh shouted racist insults, including calling Rev. Francis “an animal” and “ghetto.”
• Rev. Francis’s minor children witnessed the assault.
• Circle K failed to maintain safe premises and failed to properly hire, train, or supervise staff, allowing an environment where violence and discrimination against customers could occur.
• Rev. Francis sustained extensive bruising and suffered a miscarriage the following day.
• Police and EMS responded to the scene. Walsh was later charged with assault and ultimately pled no contest to negligent assault, resulting in a court order to complete anger-management training.

“This never should have happened. Rev. Francis was a pregnant mother simply trying to redeem a routine store loyalty reward. Something Circle K actively encourages its customers to do,” said lead attorney Charles E. Boyk. “Instead, she was violently attacked, subjected to racist slurs, and suffered the unimaginable loss of her unborn child. No family should ever experience such brutality, especially in a business that claims to serve the public.”

The complaint seeks compensatory damages against the corporate and individual defendants, citing negligent disregard for the safety of Rev. Francis and her family.

About the Charles Boyk Law Firm

Charles Boyk Law is a sophisticated plaintiff injury firm that has successfully represented thousands of injured individuals in complex injury litigation in Ohio, Michigan, and across the United States. Boyk Law’s experienced attorneys and staff are united in their commitment to excellence and dedication to personally serving the interests of all our clients. For more information: https://www.charlesboyk-law.com

Read Filed Complaint

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