A violent incident at a Jacksonville McDonald's led to the arrest of twin 19-year-old employees after a dispute escalated into gunfire. The altercation occurred at the Oceanway McDonald's on North Main Street and resulted in a co-worker being shot in the neck, leaving him in critical condition. The victim, later stabilized, was identified as DeAngelo Johnson, according to reports from News4JAX.
Following the dispute, which began when Malik McKinnon was told to "go home" by co-worker Altron "Tron" Wheaton, Johnson attempted to intervene before the situation intensified. Malik McKinnon now faces charges of attempted murder and carrying a concealed firearm, his brother, Malachi McKinnon, has been charged with carrying a concealed firearm and altering, destroying, concealing or removing records, as First Coast News relayed.
Witnesses to the incident reported that the conflict saw Malik McKinnon and his brother "jumping" a 28-year-old employee prompting Johnson to get involved. The altercation became physical, resulting in Johnson falling to the ground and Malik McKinnon reportedly firing the weapon. Despite these details, both McKinnons’ interviews with investigators were heavily redacted in court documents, leaving some questions unanswered, as explained in a Jacksonville.com article.
The owner and operator of the McDonald's, Tom Lisante, has expressed his grief over the situation, "We’re deeply saddened by this violent attack at our restaurant," he said, offering "full support to local law enforcement," reported First Coast News. The location has a strict no-weapons policy and Malik McKinnon is no longer employed at this McDonald's. Both brothers are scheduled for arraignment in Duval County court on Feb. 10, 2026.
Public concerns over violence in fast-food establishments have been heightened due to recent incidents, including an unrelated shooting at another Jacksonville McDonald's just a day prior and a deadly shooting at a local Burger King in November. The latter involved an employee fatally shot while trying to assist a co-worker in an altercation with a patron. The suspect in that case faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and armed burglary as detailed in a report by Jacksonville.com.
