Taco Bell worker allegedly opened fire on customers after one tried to fill soda into water cup
Authorities in Florida have arrested and charged a Taco Bell worker who allegedly shot at three customers after one of the victims tried to fill soda into a water cup.
Per CBS12, the incident occurred at a Taco Bell franchise in West Palm Beach on Monday, April 27. The worker, identified as 20-year-old D’Mari Jy’Quan Patterson, allegedly shot at the three female customers after an argument between him and them escalated.
The probable cause affidavit stated that officers arrived at the restaurant after a shots-fired report was made.
Authorities said that the shootings occurred after three women made their way into the restaurant and requested a cup of water. A verbal argument involving Patterson later ensued after one of the women went to a soda fountain to fill a cup, police said.
Footage of the incident captured by a witness on a cellphone reportedly showed Patterson screaming at the women. Patterson is said to have later opened fire on the women, striking two of them. Though the third woman fled outside, Patterson allegedly pursued her and shot at her. The woman was not hit.
In the aftermath of the incident, the women went to a hospital to seek medical care. Police said that two of the women sustained minor injuries, and the third woman was uninjured.
Authorities also said that after the shooting, Patterson called 911 and claimed that a customer climbed over the counter. He also told the police that he opened fire and left the gun in the management office before officers responded to the scene, CBS12 reported.
Though Patterson also told officers that he thought the women were armed, police did not retrieve any weapons. Police further said that Patterson said he acted in self-defense, but that claim did not corroborate with surveillance video and witness statements. Police claim that Patterson actually opened fire as the women were trying to make their way out of the restaurant.
Patterson was arrested that same day and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
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