McDonald’s employees shot trying to enforce coronavirus limits

05/08/2020 / By Franz Walker

Four McDonald’s employees, including two minors, were injured at an Oklahoma City restaurant Wednesday night after telling a customer to leave the dining area, which was closed due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. Police say that the angry customer shot one of the workers and injured three others.

The Oklahoma City Police Department stated that the suspect, identified as Gloricia Woody, entered the McDonald’s but was told by employees to leave as the dining area was closed. Woody, however, refused to leave but was eventually forced out after a “physical altercation” broke out that left one worker with a head injury.

Woody then reentered the restaurant with a handgun, police said. She fired approximately three rounds, hitting one worker in the arm and injuring two others with shrapnel.

Suspect in custody, employees to make full recoveries

Three of the workers were taken to a local hospital to be monitored. According to police, the injuries sustained by the employees were non-life threatening.

Woody, 32, was found by police a few blocks away from the McDonald’s, where she was immediately taken in on four counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, according to police Capt. Larry Withrow.

“[Woody] was asked to leave but refused, leading to a physical altercation between Woody and an 18-year-old female employee,” stated to Withrow. “The suspect was forced out of the restaurant by employees. She reentered the restaurant with a handgun and fired approximately three rounds in the restaurant.”

Two of the victims, including the one who was shot, were 16 years old, while the other two were 18.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s USA later released a statement, saying that the employees are expected to make full recoveries.

“The safety and security of our employees and customers is our top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and the good news is that we can report the employees who sustained injuries are expected to make a full recovery,” the spokesperson said. “This is a heinous crime on our restaurant employees who were trying to support public health efforts.”

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski also weighed in on the incident in an interview on Good Morning America Thursday.

“I think what you’re seeing in this situation is really what you’re seeing in a variety of situations across the country, which is this tension about opening,” said Kempczinski. “But there’s absolutely no excuse for violence, particularly gun violence.”

“So I’m just happy our people are going to be okay,” he added.

Violent responses to social distancing

The shooting at McDonald’s comes amid rising tensions over restrictions from efforts to slow down the coronavirus pandemic.

Elsewhere in Oklahoma, in the city of Stillwater, store owners and city officials received threats of violence after the latter implemented emergency rules requiring shoppers to wear face masks in stores.

“To the people who resort to threats and intimidation when asked to take a simple step to protect your community: shame on you. Our freedom as Americans comes with responsibilities, too,” stated Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce. “We must find common ground and work together to deal with the circumstances our society is facing. Whether or not we agree on the details, we have to find ways to cooperate in the task before us.”

Meanwhile, in Michigan, four people were recently charged for the fatal shooting of a security guard at a Family Dollar in Flint, which happened on May 1. Ramonyea Bishop and Larry Teague had confronted security guard Calvin Munerlyn after the latter had an argument with Teague’s wife Sharel over another family member’s lack of a face mask. It was during this confrontation that Bishop allegedly shot Munerlyn.

The three have since been charged with murder, while Bishop’s sister Brya has been charged with tampering with evidence, lying to police and being an accessory to a felony.

Ramonyea Bishop and Larry Teague are currently at large, federal marshalls are now offering a $5,000 reward for their capture.

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