Publix Deli Brawl Caught on Video

Kentucky Fried Chicken might be finger lickin’ good, but it seems the wings from the Publix deli are worth fighting over.

At least that was the case in Temple Terrace last week when a brawl broke out after a customer ordering chicken wings became angry at an employee. Upset with how the customer treated the female worker, another man in line confronted the angry man, several media outlets are reporting.

What began as a verbal confrontation quickly turned physical. As punches began flying, a camera started rolling and Publix employees even got into the act, attempting to break up the brawl.

The shopper who confronted the initial customer, however, found himself behind bars following the altercation at the 5450 E. Busch Blvd. store. Leon Lightbody, 25, was charged with battery following the Sept. 18 brawl, TBO.com reported.

According to Hillsborough County jail records, Lightbody was being held Thursday without bond. It seems that battery charged also prompted a string of violation of probation charges for the Erwin Tech student. Jail records indicate pervious charges of burglary, grand theft, petty theft, trafficking in stolen property, fraudulent use of personal identification and more.

As for Publix, the Lakeland-based supermarket chain issued a statement about the incident. “The safety and well-being of our associates and customers is our first priority,” the statement said. “We’re very disappointed the incident escalated as it did, but thankful no one was injured.”

Photos from WFTV/NDN Video and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office