Authorities have released the name of the Waffle House waitress who was shot in the head during her shift early Friday morning.

Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove said Julie Brightwell, 52, of Biloxi, died of a gunshot wound. Hargrove said he was able to contact Brightwell’s relatives Saturday.

Brightwell had been waiting tables at the restaurant chain for eight years.

Biloxi police Sgt. Donnie Dobbs said Johnny Max Mount, 45, is accused in her killing.

About 1 a.m. Friday, he lit a cigarette in the restaurant in the 2400 block of Beach Boulevard. Police said she was enforcing store policy when she asked Mount to put out the cigarette.

Police believe Mount pulled a 9mm handgun and shot Brightwell once in the head. She died a short time later at Merit Health Biloxi.

Biloxi police arrested Mount as he was walking out of the restaurant. They booked him into the Harrison County jail on a charge of first-degree murder. Justice Court Judge Albert Fountain set his bond at $2 million.

Brightwell’s shift began Thanksgiving night, and witnesses said she spent much of the evening asking patrons if they had a good holiday or had found any good deals while out shopping for Black Friday.