A dispute over change at a Taco Bell drive-thru in Charlotte, North Carolina, escalated into a shooting incident, according to local law enforcement. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported receiving calls about a shooting at the fast-food restaurant on the city’s east side around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, officers discovered an employee with multiple gunshot wounds.
Eyewitnesses recounted to the police that a customer, after ordering food at the drive-thru, became irate, believing he had been shortchanged. The customer then exited his vehicle, entered the restaurant, and his behavior became increasingly aggressive. The situation took a violent turn when the customer produced a firearm and began shooting, hitting the employee multiple times.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene. The injured employee was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The police have yet to provide an update on the employee’s condition.
Law enforcement officers were able to identify a vehicle matching the description given by witnesses using video footage. Later that evening, the suspected vehicle was found parked at an apartment complex. A detective confirmed that the vehicle, described as a “distinctive model,” was the one used in the shooting. The registered owner of the vehicle also matched the suspect’s description. Police kept the vehicle and property under surveillance while arrest warrants were obtained.
Once the warrants were issued, the suspect was contacted by detectives and taken into custody without any further incidents. Local ABC affiliate WSOC, citing sources, identified the suspect as 67-year-old Doll McLendon. McLendon was arrested on charges of attempted murder and discharging a weapon in an occupied property. He is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail without bond.
Taco Bell Corp. expressed shock at the incident in a statement. The company stated that the franchise owner and operator of the affected location is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation and will provide support to all team members present during the incident.