Authorities in west-central Florida have arrested a McDonald’s employee for allegedly throwing a drink at customers in the drive-thru and then firing at their vehicle during an escalated dispute over an order.
Online booking records from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office indicate that Cassidy Gardner, aged 22, was taken into custody on June 14. Gardner has been charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, without intent to kill, as noted in the online records.
According to a report from WFTV, the Lakeland Police Department received a call regarding a shooting at a fast-food restaurant located in the 700 block of East Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland at approximately 1 a.m. EDT on June 14th.
According to a news release shared on Instagram, the restaurant employee, Gardner, was on duty at the drive-thru window during the incident as per the Lakeland police.
According to police, the altercation arose when the customers perceived their order to be incorrect. Gardner engaged in a heated argument with them through the drive-thru window before flinging a beverage at them as they drove away.
According to the police report, Gardner was confronted by two customers who got out of their vehicle and hurled drinks at him through the drive-thru window. In response, Gardner drew his handgun.
As per the police, customers were driving around the west side of the building when Gardner walked outside. It is alleged that she fired her weapon at the vehicle as the customers were leaving the parking lot.
The police have reported that the vehicle was hit at least once.
According to online records, Gardner was arrested by the officers who arrived at the scene and was released after posting a bail of $15,000.
