A fast-food fracas left a customer in the hospital and a Popeyes employee under arrest after a metal tray-throwing incident at a Fall River, Massachusetts outlet. Colby McCarthy, 19, has been charged with felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon following the altercation on Monday evening, which occurred after a dispute over service speed, according to NBC Boston.
Reports from police relayed that the victim, a 22-year-old male customer, was arguing with McCarthy because the food order was seemingly taking too long to be fulfilled. Subsequently, the situation escalated quickly, leading McCarthy to allegedly throw the tray at the customer's face, striking him above his left eye. The victim had to quickly be transported to a hospital for treatment following the incident, which occurred at the Popeyes on Pleasant Street around 6:40 p.m, WPRI reported.
In the aftermath of the clash, authorities took McCarthy into custody, slapping him with serious charges due to the nature of the assault. Detective Sgt. Moses Pereira told WPRI, "McCarthy threw the metal tray at the customer during the argument and hit him above his left eye." Popeyes swiftly responded by terminating the employee, as a franchise spokesperson emphasized the importance of safety and a zero-tolerance policy for violence: "The safety of our guests is a top priority at Popeyes, and violence of any kind is not tolerated," the spokesperson said.
The fast food restaurant, part of the multinational chain, is now fully cooperating with investigators looking into the altercation. Having since distanced from the assailant, the Popeyes spokesperson assured punlic relations damage control by affirming: "The franchisee terminated the employee involved in the incident that occurred at the Fall River, MA restaurant, and is fully cooperating with authorities," according to the statement obtained by WPRI. As McCarthy faces the legal ramifications of his actions, this incident acts as a stark reminder of the thin veneer of civility that can crack under the pressures of work in the fast-food industry.
