A woman said she was forced to fire warning shots after another customer began choking her as she waited for her food in the drive-thru of a metro Atlanta McDonald’s.
The attack Sunday night at a location in Newnan appeared to be unprovoked, according to city officials. Police have accused the irate customer, identified as Brandon Lee Causey of Newnan, of aggravated assault. Authorities are pursuing additional charges against Causey, accusing him of lying about his identity upon his arrest.
Both Causey and the woman were waiting to speak with officers when they arrived at the Bullsboro Drive restaurant shortly after 9 p.m. The woman told police she was sitting in the drive-thru when Causey walked between the building and her door, Newnan city spokeswoman Ashley Copeland said in a news release.
“(Causey) placed his drinks and other items on top of the vehicle and began arguing with (the woman) for no apparent reason,” Copeland said. “(She) attempted to exit the vehicle, and (Causey) reached inside and began to choke her.”
The woman tried hitting Causey in the mouth, but he would not release his grip, the spokeswoman said. According to police, he only relented after she grabbed a gun and fired two shots into the air.
The woman had injuries consistent with being choked, Copeland said. No one was injured by the gunfire.
Causey was booked into the Coweta County Jail on the aggravated assault charge. During an investigation, police also determined that the personal information Causey gave to the officers was fake.
“After further investigation, it has been determined that the suspect in this case has given a false name and date of birth,” Newnan Deputy Chief Mark Cooper said. “The original name given by Causey was his brother’s name.”
Police have not stated what other charges Causey will face in the case.
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