The Tuesday morning breakfast rush at a Wilmington Hardee’s turned chaotic when, according to police, a 46-year-old woman allegedly waved a machete in the parking lot and pounded on windows. Officers say they de-escalated the situation and took the woman into custody without any injuries reported. Court records identify her as Jessica Alise Johnson and show she now faces multiple misdemeanor counts and a $25,000 bond, with the case still open as she awaits a new court date.
Police response and arrest
Officers were dispatched around 7:50 a.m. to the Hardee’s on the 2500 block of Carolina Beach Road after calls reported a woman hitting windows and waving a large blade, according to WECT. The station reports that officers found Johnson at the restaurant, de-escalated the confrontation and then placed her under arrest without further incident. Police say no injuries were reported at the scene.
Arrest warrant describes threats
An arrest warrant, reported by Tampa Free Press, alleges Johnson swung the machete at a man and warned she would "chop his head off," then stayed on the property even after she was told to leave. The warrant also says she ignored officers’ commands during the arrest, which led to a resisting charge. According to the paper, she was arrested on April 21.
Charges and court schedule
Johnson is facing multiple misdemeanor offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, going armed to the terror of the public, communicating threats, second-degree trespass and resisting a public officer, according to WECT. A judge set her bond at $25,000 and barred her from Hardee’s locations. She is due back in court on May 5.
Wilmington's recent violence and policing strain
The machete incident comes amid a string of violent episodes in the city this month, including a cluster of downtown stabbings that prompted the Wilmington police chief to describe an uptick in homicides, according to Port City Daily. That reporting noted staffing shortfalls, and officials said they are reassessing resource allocation as several high‑profile cases move through the court system. Local leaders have called for more visible patrols and for residents to share any video or tips with investigators.
What police are asking of the public
Wilmington police have asked anyone with video or information about the Hardee’s incident to contact the department, and for similar recent cases they have cited the department tip line at 910‑343‑3600 and anonymous Tip411 reporting, according to Wilmington StarNews. Officials have not released further details about the ongoing investigation. The defendant remains in custody pending her next court appearance.
