A workplace dispute at a McDonald’s in Belleville spiraled into a violent confrontation on July 16, when police say a manager shot the mother of a teenage employee after a disagreement about taking out the trash.
According to a statement from the Belleville Police Department, 44-year-old McDonald’s manager Kathy Bledsoe instructed a juvenile employee to take out the garbage. When the teen refused, Bledsoe told her to clock out for the day. The girl then called her mother, 36-year-old Tynika R. McKinzie, who arrived at the store with another juvenile.
Police say a “verbal disturbance ensued” and eventually escalated when McKinzie allegedly entered the restaurant’s back area and confronted Bledsoe in her office. There, according to the report, McKinzie “battered Bledsoe in the face and head.” Bledsoe then allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot McKinzie in the leg.
McKinzie was hospitalized for her injuries and later charged with aggravated battery and mob action. Bledsoe was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Authorities confirmed that neither woman had responded to media inquiries for comment as of press time.
“This was an unnecessary incident that could have been mitigated without punches being thrown or a gun being used,” said Belleville Police Chief Matthew Eiskant in a statement. “It seems individuals are quick to resort to violence to resolve disputes without consideration of the impact their actions have on the community.”
The names of the juveniles involved have not been released due to their age.
Coming on the back of a recent incident at another McDonald’s that resulted in the fatal stabbing of a manager, the latest attack has reignited discussions about workplace violence, customer-employee disputes.
