Taco Bell employee shot multiple times by customer, CMPD says

CHARLOTTE — A fast-food employee was seriously hurt after being shot in east Charlotte on Saturday night, according to MEDIC.

Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the shooting happened just before 9:30 p.m. at a Taco Bell restaurant on Albemarle Road.

CMPD said it all started when a man in the drive-thru believed he was given the wrong amount of change. Witnesses told officers that after ordering food, the suspect got upset in the drive-thru.

ALSO READ: 2 charged with attempted murder after park shooting stemming from custody exchange

Police said the suspect, 67-year-old Doll McLendon, left the drive-thru and went inside the store. They said he then left the store and started shooting into the restaurant from outside it, leaving the Taco Bell afterward.

MEDIC said the victim, who investigators confirmed to be an employee, had been shot multiple times and was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Channel 9 learned that victim is a 54-year-old man.

CMPD officers were able to gather information for a vehicle description based on witness statements and restaurant footage. They later found what they believed to be McLendon’s vehicle and later took him into custody outside of his home.

In a news conference Monday, police said people should be slow to respond with violence in situation like these.

ALSO READ: 2 arrested in connection with deadly north Charlotte shooting

“If you can take the time to take a deep breath, take a step back, regardless of what it is, and have a genuine conversation with somebody, as opposed to being in your feelings or being upset with whatever you have going on,” CMPD Maj. Torri Tellis said.

One shopper shared their thoughts on the shooting with Channel 9′s Glenn Counts.

“I don’t really focus on minor things; it shouldn’t really bother people. Small things like not getting the right change or not getting the right food is not worth killing or shooting someone for sure,” Jazmyn Jackson said.

Investigators said McLendon was charged with attempted murder and discharging a weapon in occupied property in connection with the case.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Neighbor arrested, other suspect on the loose in Gastonia home shooting)