Argument Over Orders Leads to Gunfire at Davenport McDonald’s, Sheriff Says

DAVENPORT, Fla. — What began as a hectic Sunday shift at a McDonald’s in Davenport spiraled into a violent confrontation involving a gun, three arrests, and one person injured, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Sheriff Judd said the chaos unfolded when the fast-food restaurant became overwhelmed with orders and tensions flared between staff and customers. A McDonald’s employee told waiting patrons that the restaurant was temporarily unable to take additional orders — a message that reportedly enraged several men in line.

“They threatened to attack a man who said, ‘We’re busy, we can’t take any more orders,’ and he did that because the manager told him to,” Judd explained during a press briefing.

What began as a verbal dispute at the drive-thru soon escalated when the customers got out of their vehicle and entered the restaurant. Deputies say the men began making threats of violence. One of them allegedly declared, “I got a switch, I got a 30 clip,” implying he had a firearm or extended magazine.

In response, McDonald’s employee Juan Soto reportedly retrieved his own gun. Witnesses told investigators that the restaurant’s manager attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the confrontation intensified.

Authorities say Soto ultimately aimed his weapon at the two men and fired, striking one of them — identified as Peter Story — in the neck. Sheriff Judd described Story’s wound as “minor.”

Panic broke out inside the restaurant immediately after the gunshot. According to deputies, Soto grabbed his weapon and collected both the shell casing and the bullet projectile from the floor before fleeing the scene.

“He grabs his gun, the casing, and projectile on the floor and flees because he’s scared,” Judd said.

Soto was later located and arrested. The sheriff’s office charged him with tampering with evidence, a felony, for removing the shell casing. Meanwhile, the two men involved in the confrontation — Nicholas Jones and Peter Story — were charged with trespass after warning and disorderly conduct. Both have since posted bond.

Legal experts note that incidents like this highlight the complicated nature of Florida’s gun laws, particularly when firearms are introduced in workplace disputes.

Local attorney Idalis Vento commented, “There are personal consequences for him with his employment and potential legal consequences for McDonald’s. The company could face liability because of actions that took place on their property.”

Vento added that whether employees are allowed to carry firearms at work is a policy decision made individually by each employer. As the investigation continues, Sheriff Judd emphasized that a moment of frustration over fast food orders could have easily turned deadly — a reminder, he said, of how quickly anger can turn to violence.