McDonald's Security Guard Accidentally Shoots Customer

A McDonald’s restaurant security guard fired a gun to try to break up a fight early Sunday in College Park, but instead shot a woman who was merely a bystander.

A man asked to leave the fast-food eatery began fighting with the security guard just before 3 a.m., according to Prince George’s County Police. The guard first tried to stop the fight using pepper spray, but when that didn’t work, he fired one shot that hit the woman in the wrist.

“It is definitely surprising. I wouldn’t think that somebody would open fire at a McDonalds,” student Abhas Arya told WJLA TV.

Three men involved in the fight have been charged, police said Monday. They are identified as Clarence Kirksey-Walcott, 22, of the 7000 block of Woodside Drive in Lanham; Thair Walker, 21, of the 5500 block of Lake Ridge Terrace in Bowie; and Dion Conley, 22, of the 11100 block of Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

Police say the security guard asked three men and a woman to leave McDonald’s because of their disruptive behavior. The group refused to leave, and one of the men began fighting with the security guard. During the struggle, the security guard fired his duty weapon, striking the woman. She is in an area hospital in good condition.

Kirksey-Walcott was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Walker and Conley were both charged with disorderly conduct. Additional charges may be filed in the case, police say.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police at (301) 937-0910. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone, or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.

»A security guard at the College Park McDonald’s fired his gun during a fight and shot a bystander. Credit: WJLA TV