McDonald’s worker shoots customer in neck during ‘McMess’ over wait time
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd holds up the mugshots of the three men involved in the McDonald’s shooting.
A Polk County McDonald’s became the scene of a chaotic incident over the weekend, leaving one man with a minor gunshot wound to the neck. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the confrontation a “McMess.”
According to Judd, the fast-food location was overwhelmed with online orders following several local events ending early Sunday morning. Employee Yoan Soto, 21, informed Nicholas Jones, 18, and Peter Story, 20, that the restaurant was too busy to take their drive-thru order.
“They allegedly threatened him after he told them they couldn’t be served,” Judd said in a social media video. “They said, ‘We’re going to hang out here. When you get off, we’re going to beat you up.’”
Soto, whose shift didn’t end until 4 a.m., returned to work inside the restaurant. Jones and Story then entered the store, continuing to issue threats. Sheriff Judd described the situation as a “McArgument” over food orders.
During the altercation, either Jones or Story allegedly mentioned they had a firearm with a “30-clip,” prompting Soto to reveal he also had a gun. The McDonald’s manager intervened to deescalate the confrontation, but Soto later fired a single shot when the two men attempted to grab his weapon, striking Story in the neck.
“It’s a blessing it was a very minor wound,” Judd said. Story was driven to a hospital by Jones, who then called authorities. Soto initially fled but returned when deputies arrived. He has been charged with felony tampering with evidence, while Jones and Story face trespassing after warning and disorderly conduct charges.
“Listen folks, it’s never OK to threaten a mass shooting, threaten to beat people up, or grab your firearms and ammunition,” Judd said. “Soto did have a right to stand his ground and protect himself. These men created a well-founded fear.”
Judd ended his description of the incident with a bit of humor: “It was just a McMess. But we’ll sort it out, because we’re McGood at investigating McCrime.”
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