CUSTOMER'S ALWAYS FIGHT
Popeyes worker body-slammed female customer, 55, after complaining she had been charged twice for chicken burger
A FAST food worker body-slammed a woman customer for complaining she’d been charged twice for a chicken burger.
The 55-year-old victim is still in a Tennessee hospital, receiving treatment for nine fractures in her elbow, six broken ribs and a broken left leg, say reports.
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Shocking video shows Popeyes employee Deriance Ra'Shaiel Hughes, 29, charging in to Debra Staggs at the food chain’s Louisiana Chicken restaurant in Columbia, Tennessee.
The attack was said to have been sparked by an argument between the customer and staff over the bill, inside the fast-food eatery.
Footage shows Staggs walking from the restaurant, followed by a man in staff uniform, reports the .
Grabbing her around the waist, the woman is lifted high, and then body-slammed on to the concrete.
While Staggs moans in agony, Hughes can be heard screaming repeatedly at her.
The victim’s lawyer, Rocky McElhaney, told the paper that she has already had two operations, and will need to undergo months of rehabilitation as a result of her multiple fractures.
According to the Tennessean, the fracas erupted after Staggs paid $13.11 for a meal of apple pies, corn, biscuits and chicken.
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But, upon arriving home she realised she’d been double-charged, so returned to the restaurant for a refund.
According to , there are conflicting reports about what exactly happened prior to the attack.
Her lawyer alleged that Staggs was immediately “treated with hostility and anger from the management”.
But, in a separate video, a man can be heard telling the woman, who is white, “you are in the wrong place saying the N-word”.
Employees accused the customer of using the N-word, but the injured woman has denied insulting them, says McElhaney.
Her lawyer said that despite being severely injured, no one immediately helped her in the car park.
McElhaney added that “finally someone called an ambulance” for her.
Hughes has been charged with aggravated assault.
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A Popeyes spokesperson said the company was "shocked" over the attack.
“These actions run completely contrary to our standards and the integrity of our brand.
"Following an investigation, the franchisee took immediate action and we were informed that the employee has since been terminated,” the spokesperson said.
“The entire circumstance is highly unfortunate for all involved, and we hope to never see this type of behaviour again."
The incident follows other attacks carried out inside other Popeyes restaurants.
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