- A dispute over a delayed food order at a Florida McDonald’s escalated into a shooting on Sunday morning.
- An employee, feeling threatened by two customers, discharged his firearm, wounding one of them in the neck.
- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd colorfully dubbed the incident a “McMess” while explaining the charges.
- The employee faces a felony evidence tampering charge, while the two customers are charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Fast Food Feud Turns Violent
A chaotic scene unfolded at a Florida McDonald’s when a dispute over food service escalated into gunfire, an incident the local sheriff has since labeled a “McMess.” The late-night confrontation left one customer with a minor neck wound and resulted in charges for all three individuals involved.
The altercation began when the restaurant, overwhelmed with online orders, could not serve two men at the drive-thru.
How the ‘McArgument’ Began
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated in a video briefing that McDonald’s employee Yoan Soto, 21, had been instructed by his manager to stop taking new orders due to a backlog. Soto “politely” informed customers Nicholas Jones, 18, and Peter Story, 20, of the situation.
Instead of leaving, the pair allegedly began threatening Soto. “They threatened, ‘We’re going to hang out here,’ and ‘When you get off, we are going to beat you up,’” Sheriff Judd explained.
The confrontation quickly moved from the drive-thru to inside the restaurant. “What do these goober smoochers do?” Judd remarked, adding that Jones and Story parked their car and entered the establishment to continue menacing the employee.
Threats Escalate to Gunfire
Inside the restaurant, the situation intensified. According to the sheriff, the customers continued their verbal assault, with one mentioning they had a “switch” and a “30-clip,” terms often used to describe a modified firearm and a high-capacity magazine. In response, Soto stated that he also had a gun.
The manager intervened to stop the “McRabble,” but the threats persisted. Surveillance footage captured Soto retrieving his weapon and pointing it at the two men. The manager ordered Jones and Story to leave, but as they allegedly attempted to grab Soto’s gun, he fired a single shot, striking Story in the neck.
“It’s a blessing that it was a very minor wound,” Judd said. “But you know what? When you start shooting McGuns, you’ll get people’s attention.”
Aftermath and Charges
Following the shooting, Jones drove Story to a nearby hospital and called the police. Soto initially fled the scene but was brought back by a friend when deputies arrived.
Authorities have filed charges against all three men. Soto faces a felony charge for tampering with evidence. Jones and Story have been charged with trespassing after a warning and disorderly conduct.
Sheriff Judd acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting the customers’ aggressive behavior created a “well-founded fear” for the employee. “Listen folks, it’s never OK to threaten a mass shooting. It’s never OK to threaten to beat people up at a business,” Judd concluded. “It was just a McMess. But we’ll sort it out, because we’re McGood at investigating McCrime.”
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