A late-night dispute at a McDonald's in Polk County escalated into violence when an employee shot a customer in the neck during a confrontation. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on October 12 in Davenport, Florida.
Drive-Thru Dispute Turns Violent
A routine late-night shift at a McDonald’s in Davenport, Florida, took a dangerous turn when two customers—Peter Story, 19, and Nicholas Jones, 18—became irate after being denied service due to high order volume. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the pair were told by drive-thru employee Yoan Soto, 21, that the restaurant was too busy to take additional orders. The situation quickly escalated when Story and Jones allegedly threatened Soto, saying they would “beat his a**” and wait for him in the parking lot.
Confrontation Inside the Restaurant
Instead of leaving, the two men entered the restaurant lobby and continued the argument. The store manager attempted to de-escalate the situation and asked them to leave. However, she later told deputies she overheard the men referencing firearms, including a “30 clip” and “switches,” which heightened concerns about safety.
Soto, reportedly fearing for his safety, retrieved a firearm from his backpack in the break room. He exited through the back door and reentered the lobby, approaching the men from behind. A physical struggle ensued, during which the gun discharged, striking Story in the neck. Fortunately, the injury was deemed non-life-threatening.
Aftermath and Charges
Following the shooting, Soto allegedly placed the gun in his waistband, collected the spent shell casing, and told a fellow employee that “it belonged to him” before leaving the premises. Deputies later recovered the casing and Soto’s clothing at his residence. He admitted to removing evidence from the scene and was subsequently charged with tampering with physical evidence.
Meanwhile, Story and Jones were charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the incident as a “McMess,” emphasizing the chaos that unfolded over a denied order and the threats that followed.
Community Response
The shooting has sparked concern over workplace safety and the pressures faced by fast-food employees during high-volume hours. Sheriff Judd noted that the location often becomes overwhelmed with online orders, and staff were doing their best to manage the workload when the confrontation began.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly tempers can flare—and how dangerous the consequences can be when threats and weapons enter the equation.