Taco Bell Employee Fires at Customers, Faces Charges in Florida

A late-morning argument at a West Palm Beach Taco Bell turned violent when an employee opened fire after a dispute over a drink cup, leaving two women with minor injuries and a suspect in custody. The incident unfolded quickly inside the restaurant and spilled outside, touching off an active investigation and criminal charges. Local authorities say surveillance footage and witness accounts are central to the case, and the State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the matter.

Officers responded around noon to the Taco Bell at Military Trail and 45th Street after reports of shots fired inside the restaurant. Police say three women went in, asked for a cup of water, and one of them used it to fill soda at the fountain, which triggered a heated exchange. The confrontation involved an employee identified as 20-year-old D’Mari Jy’Quan Patterson and escalated in short order.

A witness recorded video on a cellphone that shows Patterson and the customers arguing while tempers rose. Investigators say the sound of a gun being racked is audible on that recording just before a shot rang out in the dining area. One woman collapsed after being struck, another suffered a graze wound, and a third fled the building in fear.

Police allege Patterson followed the third woman outside and fired another round in her direction, which missed but shattered a window near the entrance. Moments like that turned a routine fast-food stop into a dangerous scene where bystanders were forced to scatter. Employees and customers described shock and confusion as officers secured the location and investigators began collecting video and statements.

The three women drove themselves to a nearby hospital, where two were treated for minor wounds and released, officials said. The third woman did not require medical treatment and left the facility after evaluation. Emergency crews and detectives canvassed the scene while witnesses described what they saw to officers.

After the shooting, Patterson called 911 and told dispatchers a customer had jumped behind the counter, according to law enforcement. An arrest affidavit indicates he admitted to firing the gun and told officers he stashed the weapon in the management office before police arrived. Investigators later searched the area and found no weapons on the customers.

Authorities say Patterson claimed he believed the women were armed, but surveillance video and witness statements do not support a claim of self-defense. Investigators note the women appeared to be leaving the restaurant when additional shots were fired, a detail that contradicts an immediate threat narrative. Those contradictions are a key focus as the case moves forward.

A nearby customer captured the mood with a blunt reaction: ‘It doesn’t surprise me that it would happen. The world we live in today, it makes sense.’ That comment reflects a wider unease about volatility in everyday public places, and it echoes among folks who witnessed the scene. Store staff and regular customers said they were shaken and worried about safety after a once-ordinary lunch hour devolved.

Patterson was arrested at the scene and booked on three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Jail records show he is being held pending court proceedings, with bond set at $25,000 for each count of aggravated assault. The State Attorney’s Office has the file and is conducting a review to determine how to proceed with charges.

Investigators continue to gather surveillance footage and interview witnesses to piece together a full timeline of events. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward so they can ensure the case is thoroughly documented. For now, the restaurant remains the site of a criminal investigation that has left a community asking why a small dispute turned deadly.