The man who shot and killed Amanda Connors, 38-year-old Tyrone Smith, should not have even been at Cost Cutters in the first place because his girlfriend, who worked at the salon, had a protection order against him.
A protection order is an order issued by the Circuit Court. It doesn't cost anything. It can protect you from being hit, threatened, harassed or stalked by another person. It can also stop someone from coming into your home or bothering you at work.
Anyone who has been physically, emotionally or sexually abused or threatened by someone they have been married to, lived with, have a child with or even dated can get a protection order.
A stalker can be someone you know or a stranger. They often bother people by giving them attention they don't want. This can be through unwanted phone calls or even gifts.
Once the court grants you a protection order, you should carry a copy of it with you at all times. This will help police enforce it if there is a violation.
A violation of a protection order is a crime which is punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000.00 fine or both
Some people are critical of protection orders, calling them nothing more than a piece of paper. As one police officer told us, a protection order is like a stop sign. Some people follow them, others blow right by them.
To learn more about protection orders, click here.
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