McDonald’s Worker Shoots Customer Amid Order Delay Threats Sheriff Labels Incident a ‘McMess’

A late-night incident at a McDonald’s in Florida escalated into a shocking confrontation, leading to a shooting and new safety concerns in fast-food establishments. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd labeled the episode a “McMess,” emphasizing the chaotic nature of the event.

Incident Overview

On Sunday morning, a surge of online orders overwhelmed the McDonald’s staff following an early local event. This situation set the stage for the altercation between the staff and two customers.

Confrontation Details

According to Sheriff Judd, 21-year-old employee Yoan Soto politely informed customers Nicholas Jones, 18, and Peter Story, 20, about the delays. He explained that their orders could not be taken due to the high volume of online requests.

• Jones and Story began threatening Soto verbally.
• Surveillance footage captured their aggressive behavior after entering the restaurant.
• They reportedly threatened, “We’re going to hang out here” and “When you get off, we are going to beat you up.”

Shooting Incident

The escalation continued when the men mentioned having firearms. This prompted Soto to disclose that he was also armed. When Soto was threatened further, he retreated to the back of the restaurant but later retrieved his gun in response to the escalating danger.

• The manager attempted to remove Jones and Story for trespassing.
• Despite the manager’s orders, the situation worsened, culminating in Soto firing his weapon.
• Story sustained a minor neck injury from the gunshot.

Aftermath and Legal Actions

After the incident, Jones transported Story to a hospital and called law enforcement. Soto left the scene but returned when deputies arrived. He has been charged with felony tampering with evidence.

Both Jones and Story faced charges for trespassing after warnings and disorderly conduct. Sheriff Judd condemned the threats and violent behavior, asserting that such actions create a significant safety concern in public establishments.

Conclusion

This incident at the Florida McDonald’s serves as a reminder of the potential volatility within public service environments. Sheriff Judd emphasized the importance of safety, stating, “It’s never OK to threaten violence in any form.” With investigations ongoing, the community seeks answers and preventive measures for future occurrences.