ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A video of a fight between a customer and a McDonald’s employee over a straw is going viral on social media.
Customer Daniel Taylor was arrested New Year’s Eve on two counts of simple battery.
According to an affidavit, Taylor was in McDonald’s around 6:50 p.m. when he reached over the counter and grabbed an employee, Yasmine James, by her shirt.
Another customer took cell phone video of the fight, where Taylor is seen grabbing James first.
Update: The employee was Not fired!YES this really did happen last night for all those asking me… it started because he wanted a straw !!! The young girl was heard saying she used to box 🥊 After this fight he came back and went behind the counter & tried to fight the manager. The guy left before the cops arrived but has now been arrested!!
Posted by Kinie Biandudi on Wednesday, January 2, 2019
James, a former boxer, then punches Taylor multiple times.
The incident started when Taylor complained there were no straws at the store’s drink station.
A new St. Petersburg law has mandated that the store remove straws from the lobby to increase the city’s sustainability. James apparently tried to explain that straws still could be requested.
Police were called after Taylor was told to leave.
According to the arrest report, Taylor kicked another McDonald’s employee, Tateona Bell, in the stomach. Bell was holding the door as Taylor was being escorted out by management.
McDonald’s released the following statement to Tampa station WFLA about the incident:
“Our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees and customers at our restaurants. We have been in contact with the police department and are fully cooperating with their investigation.”
NBC News reports that police were able to apprehend Taylor when they received a call for an unarmed robbery after the McDonald’s incident and recognized Taylor from the video.
