Florida McDonald's Worker Arrested for Shooting at Customer After Drive-Through Dispute (video)

Chassidy Gardner, 22, of Lakeland, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Polk County jail

Chassidy Gardner, a 22-year-old McDonald's employee from Lakeland, Florida, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after an altercation at a drive-through window escalated into gunfire. Gardner was booked into the Polk County Jail but was released the next day after posting a $15,000 bond.

The incident occurred just after 1 a.m. at the McDonald's on East Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland, east of Tampa. According to the Lakeland Police, the situation began when a customer complained about an incorrect order, leading to a heated argument between Gardner and the customers at the drive-through window.

Gardner, a McDonald's employee, could be seen holding a gun in her hand during an argument

Surveillance footage shows one of the customers reaching through the window, knocking items to the floor, and throwing cups. In response, Gardner threw a drink back at the departing customers. The conflict escalated when two customers exited their car and threw their drinks, filled with ice, back at Gardner.

Gardner, who had brought a gun to work, was seen on video pacing the kitchen area with the weapon in hand. Despite the presence of at least two other staff members, none intervened to de-escalate the situation or to encourage Gardner to put away the gun.

Gardner could then be seen leaving the fast food restaurant still carrying the gun in her hand

The surveillance footage then captures Gardner walking out of the restaurant with the firearm. As the customers' car drove off, Gardner allegedly fired at the vehicle, with at least one bullet striking it.

Gardner was subsequently arrested and taken into custody, facing serious charges in connection with the incident.