Three McDonalds workers injured in shooting over coronavirus seating area closure dispute

Suspect ‘fired approximately three rounds in the restaurant’

Suspect Gloricia Woody allegedly entered the restaurant and was told by employees the dining area was closed, police said (Oklahoma City Police Department)

Three McDonalds workers have been injured in a shooting in Oklahoma City over a dispute regarding the restaurants seating area closures amidst the coronavirus, police said.

The suspect, Gloricia Woody, was allegedly angry that the restaurant’s dining area was closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, police said on Thursday.

The suspect was said to have been asked to leave the restaurant, and after she refused and a physical altercation allegedly ensued between her and the employee.

“The suspect was forced out of the restaurant by employees, She reentered the restaurant with a handgun and fired approximately three rounds in the restaurant,” police Captain Larry Withrow said.

One of the employees was reportedly shot in the arm and two other employees were hit by shrapnel.

One worker also suffered a head injury during the initial physical confrontation, according to police.

No-one is thought to have been seriously injured during the incident. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the employees were expected to make a full recovery.

It was originally thought that only two employees had been hit by the gunfire.

The 32-year-old has been taken into custody on four counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, Mr Withrow said.

It was not known if Ms Woody has an attorney according to police.

“What you’re seeing in this situation is really what you’re seeing in a variety of situations across the country, which is this tension about opening and people’s concern about it,” Mr Kempczinski said.

“But there’s absolutely no excuse for violence, particularly gun violence, so I’m just happy that our people are going to be OK.”

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.