A late-night dispute at a Wendy’s drive-thru in Missouri has escalated into a serious criminal case, after a restaurant manager allegedly shot a customer following an argument over a food order.
Authorities in Kansas City say the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on March 20 at a Wendy’s location on North Oak Trafficway. When police arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest and “bleeding profusely,” according to court documents. The victim was rushed to a hospital after identifying the suspect as a manager at the restaurant.
Prosecutors later charged 47-year-old Terrence R. Phillips with first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently being held at the Clay County Jail on a $1 million bond, with a court hearing scheduled for March 31.
According to investigators, the confrontation began when the victim stopped at the drive-thru to pick up food for his family. He told officers he was instructed to pull forward to the window before placing his order, which led to confusion.
After receiving what he described as a “rude response,” tensions escalated when he collected his order. As he drove away, his drinks reportedly spilled, prompting him to circle back to the restaurant seeking assistance. However, employees allegedly refused to engage with him.
The situation worsened when the victim encountered Phillips outside the building. Authorities say Phillips then drew a firearm and shot the man in the shoulder, with the bullet exiting through his chest.
Investigators say surveillance footage captured key moments of the incident. The video reportedly shows Phillips walking outside toward the parking lot and his vehicle, followed by what officers described as a “faint image of a muzzle flash.”
Afterward, Phillips is seen returning inside the restaurant, allegedly concealing a weapon in his pocket. Police later recovered a firearm from a walk-in freezer inside the establishment.
During questioning, Phillips admitted to having a verbal confrontation with the victim but denied any involvement in the shooting.
“Phillips stated that he did not shoot anyone, does not know anything about a gun or why there would be a gun that was recovered in the restaurant,” investigators wrote in the affidavit.
He also claimed the disagreement intensified after the customer allegedly used racial slurs and returned to the window yelling. According to Phillips, he stepped outside to close the hatch of his car when the victim drove up again, leading to another exchange.
The case now moves to court as prosecutors pursue multiple felony charges. If convicted, Phillips could face significant prison time under Missouri law.
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