Belleville, IL – A McDonald’s manager, Kathy Bledsoe, has been arrested after allegedly shooting the mother of a teenage employee during a violent confrontation at a McDonald’s in Belleville, Illinois, on Wednesday afternoon.
Dispute Over Trash Duty Leads to Shooting
The incident began when Bledsoe, the manager on duty, asked a juvenile female employee to take the trash out to the dumpster. When the teenager refused, Bledsoe allegedly told her to clock out and go home. The teenager then called her mother, Tynika R. McKinzie, 35, who arrived at the McDonald’s with another juvenile female.
According to the Belleville Police Department, McKinzie and her daughter went behind the front counter, making their way to the back office area of the restaurant.
There, an altercation ensued between McKinzie and Bledsoe, during which Bledsoe allegedly pulled a handgun and fired a single round, striking McKinzie in the leg.
Arrest and Charges
Bledsoe, 44, was immediately taken into custody at the scene, while McKinzie was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The police have charged Bledsoe with aggravated battery and are investigating the situation further.
Authorities have condemned the incident as an example of escalating violence, noting that it could have been resolved peacefully without the use of force.
“This was an unnecessary incident that could have been mitigated without punches being thrown or a gun being used,” the Belleville Police Department stated in their press release, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such violence on the community.
Community Response and Further Investigation
The Belleville Police have committed to ensuring that individuals who resort to violence in such situations will be held accountable for their actions. This case is one of several recent incidents involving violent outbursts at fast food establishments.
Just days before this shooting, a 26-year-old McDonald’s employee in Michigan was arrested for allegedly killing her manager after a verbal dispute over being sent home early.
Bledsoe is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail, pending a detention hearing. The shooting has raised concerns within the community about the safety of workers and the violent potential of seemingly minor workplace disputes.
