FL Taco Bell Employee Accused of Shooting at Customers Over Drink Dispute

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — A 20-year-old Taco Bell employee in South Florida was arrested Monday after allegedly firing a gun at three customers during an argument over a drink, according to multiple reports.

The incident began when three women entered the restaurant and asked for a water cup at the counter. One of them then filled the cup at the soda fountain, sparking a dispute with the employee, D’Mari Jy’Quan Patterson, according to court records cited by People.

Video recorded by a witness shows Patterson arguing with one of the women. The sound of a firearm being racked can also be heard in the footage, CBS 12 reported.

Patterson then opened fire, according to reports. One woman was struck and fell inside the dining area, another was grazed by a bullet, and a third ran from the restaurant.

The women later drove themselves to JFK North Medical Center, where two were treated for minor injuries and released, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. The third was uninjured.

Afterward, Patterson called 911 and said a customer had come behind the counter, according to reports. He admitted to firing the gun but told investigators he believed the women were armed and that he acted in self-defense.

However, investigators said surveillance video and witness statements do not back up that claim, reports said.

Patterson faces three counts of aggravated assault.

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