A recent incident at a McDonald’s in Polk County, Florida, escalated into violence when an employee shot a customer in the neck. The altercation took place after the fast-food restaurant was overwhelmed with online orders early Sunday morning.
Details of the Incident
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the event as a “McMess.” The employee involved, 21-year-old Yoan Soto, informed customers Nicholas Jones, 18, and Peter Story, 20, that the restaurant could not take their order due to the ongoing order backlog.
Threats Made
Following Soto’s polite refusal, Jones and Story allegedly threatened him verbally. They reportedly stated, “When you get off, we are going to beat you up.” Soto later explained that he would finish his shift at 4 a.m. before returning to work.
Confrontation Escalates
After their threats, the two customers parked and entered the McDonald’s, continuing their aggressive behavior. Sheriff Judd noted, “They’re having a McArgument in the McDonald’s over McHamburgers or lack of McHamburgers.” Allegedly, they claimed to have firearms, to which Soto responded that he was also armed.
The situation intensified as the restaurant’s manager intervened. Despite being asked to leave due to their disruptive behavior, Jones insisted that only law enforcement could declare him trespassing.
The Shooting
As tensions rose, Jones and Story attempted to grab Soto’s firearm. In the ensuing struggle, Soto shot Story in the neck. Fortunately, the injury was classified as minor.
Legal Consequences
Jones drove Story to a hospital and contacted the authorities. Soto fled initially but returned when deputies arrived. He has been charged with felony tampering with evidence, while Jones and Story face charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Official Statements
Sheriff Judd condemned the behavior of all parties involved, stating, “It’s never OK to threaten a mass shooting or to physically assault others.” He emphasized that Soto had the right to defend himself against perceived threats.
The sheriff concluded that the situation was handled appropriately and expressed confidence in law enforcement’s ability to investigate “McCrime” effectively.
