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Fast Food Fury: Florida McDonald’s Employee Shoots at Enraged Customer

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In the early morning hours of a recent Friday, an unfortunate incident involving a McDonald’s employee and a customer occurred in Lakeland, Florida. According to the local police, a customer became angry over an error in their meal order, which escalated into a heated argument that eventually led to the employee allegedly firing a gun at the customer.

This all unfolded around 1 a.m. at a McDonald’s on East Memorial Drive in Lakeland. The Lakeland Police Department detailed the incident in a release on Monday. The situation seemed to spiral out of control when the customers attempted to leave, leading the worker to throw a drink at them.

The customers retaliated by forcing open the drive-thru window and began to fling cups onto the restaurant’s floor. The McDonald’s employee, a 22-year-old female, reappeared with a firearm and was then met with a drink thrown through the window by one of the customers.

“She then proceeded to confront the customers outside,” the police report stated. As the customers attempted to flee in their vehicle, the armed employee fired at the car, striking it at least once. This act was caught on the restaurant’s surveillance camera.

The altercation’s surveillance footage was later obtained and made public by WOFL-TV on its YouTube channel.

The involved McDonald’s worker, identified as 22-year-old Chassidy Gardner, was subsequently arrested. She was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Polk County Jail records indicate that Gardner was released on a $15,000 bond.

Retired Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon shared his thoughts with WOFL, expressing concern over the increasing frequency of such incidents.

“It’s unfortunate because once you fire that round, that round has no mercy. Wherever that round is going, whatever it strikes, it’s going to damage it or kill it,” Rolon stated. “It was totally uncalled-for and unjustified for her to pull the gun on a customer through the drive-through, regardless of what the situation was, unless there was a risk of great bodily harm that was going to be brought on to her, or there is a situation where someone was engaging in some activity that could result in bodily harm.”

He further expressed his surprise that the employee was armed while on duty at a family-friendly establishment. “I’m shocked that she had a weapon of that sort in a place such as a McDonald’s as an employee,” Rolon concluded.

Lakeland, the city where this unfortunate incident occurred, is home to roughly 120,000 residents and is situated approximately 35 miles from Tampa.


What are your thoughts regarding the use of firearms for self-defense in service-oriented jobs like fast food outlets, in light of the recent incident at a Florida McDonald's?

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Delphos Speaks

    July 7, 2024 at 11:18 am

    Employees should be trained in methods to de-escalate situations. To many times, it is the customer’s poor attitude about an order that creates tension. And the employees should do what they can to correct the order with a friendly smile. As they say, you can win the battle and lose the war. In the other hand, sometimes a customer is inebriated that late at night and cannot be dealt with. But the gun should not have been involved over a drink thrown through a window.

  2. Steve Carson

    July 7, 2024 at 11:19 am

    Clearly there is a need for anger management class.

  3. Dennis

    July 7, 2024 at 11:19 am

    She should be charge with murder. The victim had no weapon so she can’t pled self defense! She had no legal right to have of shoot anything. If she get anything less you can tell the democrats some people are above the law. If she had been white she would be still setting in jail or have a much higher bail
    Murder is murder and no one is above murder!!!

  4. Pena

    July 7, 2024 at 3:01 pm

    She was never in danger. Emotions and tempers out of control but doesn’t justify the use of a weapon. The customers were driving away when shot.

  5. Beartoe

    July 7, 2024 at 4:38 pm

    Old Proverb……. You can take the monkey outta the jungle but you never take the jungle outta the monkey

  6. Marla Summers

    July 7, 2024 at 7:50 pm

    Well I guess she is Mcfired now! Uncalled for.

  7. Robert Schrader

    July 7, 2024 at 9:42 pm

    John Q public is the dumbest animal out there.What was the sobriety of the occupants of the vehicle in the drive thru,also where any of occupants charged with anything like assault, battery,or malicious mischief??????

  8. Kirk Ellsworth

    July 7, 2024 at 9:45 pm

    Retired Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon never heard of the robbery/mass murder at a Brown’s chicken in Palatine, Illinois on January 8, 1993? My roommate had worked there, but I had gotten her a job at a Denny’s a few days before that happened. If they had been armed there’s a good chance they’d still be alive.

  9. Leola Clarry

    July 7, 2024 at 11:35 pm

    She didn’t know if the person had a gun or not so she did what anyone would do, she could have been hurt.

  10. Leola Clarry

    July 7, 2024 at 11:45 pm

    I have seen where people were hurt by someone using a gun some were killed and still nothing is being done about it. that person is still walking the streets, and this person was taken to court for what she did. Not Right.

  11. David Campbell

    July 9, 2024 at 10:22 pm

    Don’t know why the retired police cheif is surprised that an employee that works late into the night is armed; seems prudent to me. It is unfortunate that people get so out of control over a fast food order. Anyway, the shooting was not justified, the threat to the worker never escalated to the level of justifying lethal force. Now if the customer had actually forced his way through the window and started to enter the workspace, the employee, being a woman, might then have been justified.
    P.S. I did not vote in the pole as the questions don’t seem to match the situation.

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Preparedness

Good Samaritan Saves Trooper in Harrowing Interstate Confrontation

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A recent incident on Interstate 49 in Rogers, Arkansas, has brought to light the dangers faced by state troopers and the critical role of Good Samaritans. On July 27, 26-year-old Guatemalan national Angel Zapet-Alvarado was recorded on dashcam video resisting arrest after being pulled over for driving at a staggering 114 miles per hour in heavy traffic.

Arkansas State Police released the dashcam footage on Wednesday, showing the tense moments that unfolded when Trooper Alexandria Duncan attempted to stop Zapet-Alvarado. Despite her emergency lights and sirens, he initially refused to pull over.

After finally stopping on the highway shoulder, Zapet-Alvarado continued to defy Duncan’s commands. Duncan observed his hand on the gearshift and took his keys to prevent him from fleeing. However, he resisted exiting the vehicle, prompting Duncan to deploy her taser.

The dashcam video captures Zapet-Alvarado’s persistent refusal to comply with Duncan’s orders to roll over and put his hands behind his back. In response, Duncan triggered the taser multiple times, causing Zapet-Alvarado to cry out in pain.

At one point, Zapet-Alvarado managed to wrestle the taser from Duncan and threw it into interstate traffic. He then escalated the confrontation by kicking Duncan’s head multiple times.

Amid the struggle, 31-year-old Kylie Sutton, a Good Samaritan, rushed to assist Duncan. Upon noticing Sutton, Duncan instructed her to retrieve the taser, which Sutton did. However, Zapet-Alvarado managed to get on top of Duncan.

Sutton intervened by grabbing Zapet-Alvarado from behind and moving him to the ground. Duncan then instructed Sutton to step back and warned Zapet-Alvarado that she would shoot if he continued to resist. When he did not comply, Duncan fired a single round, wounding him in the right temple.

Despite his injury, Zapet-Alvarado continued to resist arrest until another state trooper arrived to assist Duncan. Zapet-Alvarado was then transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas for treatment before being released to law enforcement.

Toxicology reports revealed that Zapet-Alvarado’s blood-alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit, and that cannabinoids were present in his system. He was subsequently taken to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and placed on hold for a Homeland Security Investigation.

Trooper Duncan sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the altercation and received medical treatment. The state police Criminal Investigation Division reviewed the case, and Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson confirmed that Duncan’s use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.

Col. Mike Hagar expressed his support for Trooper Duncan, stating, “I wholeheartedly support Trooper Duncan. We tell our troopers to trust their instincts and lean into their experience and training when they’re on the highways. Anyone who has walked in a trooper’s boots knows that trusting your gut keeps you safe so that you can protect and serve the public. In our world, hesitation can get you killed.”

Hagar also praised the bravery of both Duncan and Sutton, adding, “I thank God that he gave Alex the strength to survive that encounter, and that he put Kylie by her side when she needed support the most. I’m so proud of them both.”

This incident underscores the unpredictable and perilous nature of law enforcement duties and highlights the importance of community support in ensuring the safety of officers and the public.


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Preparedness

Robot Heroics: Texas Standoff Ends with High-Tech Takedown

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There’s a new high-tech hero in the realm of law enforcement. A police bomb squad robot recently played a pivotal role in subduing an armed suspect during a tense standoff in Texas.

The incident involved 39-year-old Felix Delarosa, who had a warrant out for his arrest due to a parole violation. According to KCBD, Delarosa had tampered with his electronic monitoring device.

Around 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, members of the Texas Anti-Gang unit located Delarosa at a Days Inn hotel in Lubbock. When officers attempted to approach him, Delarosa, who was armed, fired a shot from inside his hotel room.

In response, the officers called in the Lubbock County Sheriff’s SWAT team for assistance.

Negotiations with Delarosa proved challenging as he fired additional shots while barricaded in his room. Amid the exchange, the room’s large glass window was shattered.

To mitigate further risk to law enforcement, the Lubbock Regional Bomb Squad deployed a robot to handle the situation. The robot approached Delarosa’s hotel room, and the suspect attempted to disable it by throwing a bed sheet over it, which proved ineffective.

The robot advanced towards the broken window, prompting Delarosa to shoot at it. In a tactical move, the robot retaliated by deploying tear gas into the room.

Footage shows Delarosa crawling out of the room, visibly disoriented from the tear gas.

As he struggled on the ground, the robot maneuvered on top of him, pinning him down. During this action, the robot’s wheels inadvertently pulled down the suspect’s pants.

SWAT team members then swiftly moved in and apprehended Delarosa, concluding the two-hour standoff.

Following his capture, Delarosa was transported to University Medical Center for treatment of his injuries before being booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center.

He now faces charges of aggravated assault against a public servant.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice noted that Delarosa had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance. He was released on parole in April 2022.

This incident demonstrates the growing role of technology in law enforcement, showcasing how robotic assistance can effectively and safely manage high-risk situations.


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Preparedness

Self-Defense Ruling in Detroit Tailgate Shooting Sparks Controversy

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A concealed carrier involved in a fatal incident at a Detroit Lions tailgate won’t face charges, as the Wayne County Prosecutor has declared the shooting an act of self-defense. The incident, which took place at the Eastern Market, was captured on cellphone video and involved a confrontation that escalated quickly.

Jalen Welch, the assailant, allegedly pulled a gun and threatened a 40-year-old man, who is a legal concealed pistol owner. In response, the 40-year-old fired a single shot that struck Welch in the head, fatally wounding him.

Tragically, the same bullet also hit an innocent bystander, RayShawn Palmer, who was also killed.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy stated, “In this case, the shooter was not involved with the physical altercation, or any crime, when Mr. Welch pulled out his weapon and threatened him with deadly force.”

“It is only then that the shooter drew his weapon and fired one-time striking Mr. Welch, and unfortunately striking Mr. Palmer,” Worthy added. “A thorough review of the facts and evidence shows that the shooter acted in lawful self-defense. The shooting was justified. There is insufficient evidence to charge the shooter with any crime.”

The shooter’s attorney expressed relief over the decision.

“My client is very pleased he is not being charged with a crime; it was agonizing sitting in jail for three days awaiting the decision,” the attorney told WJBK-TV.

“He is dealing with a lot of emotions. He feels terrible for the family of the bystander and wishes to extend his condolences, but he is grateful to return to his family. His right to exercise to protect his life and others is absolute. He did nothing to forfeit that right.”

Despite the ruling, Palmer’s family is devastated and angry that no charges are being filed against the shooter.

“This is unbelievable that an individual shoots someone — even though he had a CPL — in an environment like this,” said Jermaine Little, Palmer’s brother. “It could have been a 5-year-old. Unfortunately, it was my brother, and so my whole family is here. We are grieving. We are hurt, and we want some answers.”

Little continued, “Our brother’s gone. This is an individual that wanted to give back, did give back, loved his family, was not a violent person, loved to dance. Just wanted to entertain and for this to happen, for trying to stop something that was happening, it’s unacceptable.”

Palmer’s family has vowed to challenge the no-charges ruling.

“We’re not going to give up,” Little noted. “If we got to get out here every day, if we got to post things, if we got to march — whatever we got to do. We just want some answers. Give us some answers.”

This incident highlights the complexities and emotional toll of self-defense cases, especially when innocent lives are lost.


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