A quiet Sunday at a McDonald’s on the 2800 block of Gallatin Pike turned into an unexpected glass-shattering scene when a 37-year-old Nashville man allegedly hurled a softball-sized rock through the restaurant’s front window, cutting a customer and sending staff scrambling for help.
Police say the man had already stirred up trouble next door at a gyro spot before circling back and launching the rock through the McDonald’s window. The resulting spray of glass cut a woman on the arm. She was treated for her injuries, which authorities described as non-life-threatening. The suspect was taken into custody and booked into the downtown detention center later that day.
What police say
According to WKRN, court paperwork identifies the suspect as 37-year-old Richard A. Walker Jr. and states he first caused a disturbance at the neighboring gyro restaurant, where he allegedly threatened staff with a chair.
The affidavit says Walker then went next door to the McDonald’s, picked up a softball-sized rock from outside, and tossed it through the front window. Glass shattered into the dining area, cutting a woman seated inside on the arm.
Employees told WKRN that Walker had demanded more food than staff were willing to give and was “just acting crazy” shortly before the window was smashed.
Charges and booking
Davidson County Sheriff's Office booking records show Walker was arrested and booked on charges that include felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. His bond was set at 15,000 dollars.
The booking entry lists a June 21 intake at the downtown detention center. It also notes a probation violation tied to earlier sexual battery charges and states he was ineligible for release pending DNA testing.
Past conviction and next court date
Court paperwork and local reporting state that Walker was convicted in June 2025 of sexual battery without consent and received a two-year sentence. State records indicate he was released on probation in January 2026, WKRN reported.
The new charges are expected to trigger a probation violation. Court records list his first appearance as scheduled for Wednesday, June 24.
Why it matters to businesses
The incident taps into broader safety concerns along Gallatin Pike, where residents and advocates have been calling for faster street-safety improvements and stepped-up enforcement, as reported in coverage of how pedestrian deaths soar.
Local merchants say that violent or highly disruptive episodes can mean unexpected repair bills, higher security costs, and added strain on workers who are already juggling busy shifts. Police and the sheriff's office declined to comment further beyond what is contained in the booking records.
