'McMess': McDonald's worker shoots drive thru customer in the neck after massive back up of mobile orders

A McDonald’s employee in Polk County, Florida, shot a customer in the neck after a dispute over long wait times early Sunday morning. Sheriff Grady Judd described the chaotic scene as a “McMess.” 

The shooting occurred after several local events ended, leaving the restaurant overwhelmed with online orders. According to Fox News, Sheriff Judd said 21-year-old McDonald’s employee Yoan Soto “politely” told two drive-thru customers, 18-year-old Nicholas Jones and 20-year-old Peter Story, that the restaurant was too backed up to take their order.

“Hey, sorry guys, we’re way behind. Our online orders are overwhelming us,” Soto reportedly told them.

The customers allegedly became angry and began threatening Soto. 

“We’re going to hang out here,” they said. “‘When you get off, we are going to beat you up.”

Jones and Story parked and went inside the restaurant, where they continued confronting Soto. According to the sheriff, one of the men allegedly mentioned having a “switch” and a “30-clip,” suggesting they were armed. Soto replied that he also had a gun. The restaurant manager stepped in to de-escalate the situation.

“So, they continue to threaten a mass shooting cause there’s customers there with their firearms,”  Judd said. Soto then retrieved his gun and threatened the two customers. The manager told the customers to leave, but Jones refused, claiming only law enforcement could declare him trespassing — a statement Judd said was incorrect.

When Jones and Story attempted to grab Soto’s weapon, Soto fired, hitting Story in the neck.

“It’s a blessing that it was a very minor wound, but you know what? When you start shooting McGuns, you’ll get people’s attention, and they’ll let you McHave the restaurant and that’s what they did,” Judd said.

Jones drove Story to the hospital and contacted police. Soto fled initially but returned to the scene when deputies arrived. He cooperated with investigators and was charged with felony tampering with evidence. Jones and Story were charged with trespassing after warning and disorderly conduct.

“Listen folks, it’s never OK to threaten a mass shooting. It’s never OK to threaten to beat people up at a business. And it’s never OK to grab your ammunition and your firearm and run after a shooting,” Judd said. 

Judd added that Soto appeared to have acted in self-defense. “They created a well-founded fear in him and the store manager,” he added. “It was just a McMess. But we’ll sort it out, because we’re McGood at investigating McCrime.”