Florida Taco Bell Worker Opens Fire On Customers Over Drink Dispute: Police

A fast-food argument over a drink order escalated into gunfire when a Florida Taco Bell employee allegedly opened fire on customers who filled a water cup with soda, authorities said.

The incident happened around lunchtime Monday, April 27, at a Taco Bell on 45th Street in West Palm Beach, according to an arrest report.

Investigators said the customers asked 20-year-old employee D’Mari Patterson for a cup of water. Patterson gave them the cup but later confronted them after they filled it with soda, the report said.

The confrontation quickly escalated into an argument before another employee stepped in to separate Patterson from the group, police said.

A customer began recording the scene on a cellphone, capturing Patterson yelling moments before the sound of a firearm being racked and a gunshot, the report said.

One of the victims ran outside, and Patterson followed and fired another round in their direction, which missed but struck a restaurant window, according to police.

The victims later went to a hospital and were treated for minor injuries.

Authorities said Patterson called 911 after the incident and told dispatchers that a customer had jumped behind the counter, prompting him to pull out a weapon and fire, according to the report.

Patterson also told responding officers he believed the customers had a gun and said they could “get jiggy,” but investigators said surveillance video did not support his claim of self-defense.

Patterson was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.