A McDonald’s employee in Florida was taken into custody last week for firing shots at customers after a disagreement at the drive-thru window, according to officials. The employee, identified as Chassidy Gardner, 22, from Lakeland, is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the incident that occurred on Friday.
According to the Lakeland Police Department, officers were called to the fast-food establishment at around 1 a.m. following reports of a shooting. The altercation began when a customer expressed dissatisfaction with their order at the drive-thru window, leading to a confrontation between Gardner and the patrons. During the argument, Gardner threw a drink at the customers as they tried to drive away. At one point, one of the customers reached through the window and knocked some items to the ground.
In response, two customers exited their vehicle and opened the drive-thru window to throw drinks at Gardner, prompting her to arm herself with a handgun, as stated in the police report. The situation escalated when the customers circled the building, and Gardner went outside with her gun to continue the argument. She allegedly fired shots as the vehicle was leaving the parking lot, hitting the car at least once. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
This incident adds to a recent string of violent altercations at fast-food establishments across the country. Just earlier this week, three men were reportedly stabbed inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland. These incidents highlight the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for both employees and customers at all times.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting at the Florida McDonald’s, and the chain has yet to provide a statement regarding the incident. It is crucial for businesses to prioritize conflict resolution and customer service training to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Customers should also remember to remain calm and respectful when dealing with service staff, as tensions can quickly escalate in high-pressure situations.