A Checkers employee in Florida has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting a customer during a drive-through altercation.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, May 21, at a Checkers drive-thru in Kissimmee, Fla., after a customer, identified as Wesley Robertson by police, began complaining about his order.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), at around 10:10 p.m. local time, Checkers employee Elijah Travis Mackey, 23, had a “verbal dispute” with Robertson over his drive-thru order at the fast food restaurant. The dispute later erupted, with Mackey allegedly fatally shooting Robertson.
According to the affidavit, Robertson complained about his order to a female employee at the drive-thru food pickup window and repeatedly requested to speak with a manager.
While the customer was still at the window, a male Checkers employee, later identified as Mackey, approached the side of the restaurant and began arguing with Robertson, who then insulted him, calling him a “bitch” or a “p—-,” according to a witness.
The employee then allegedly pulled a small handgun from his waistband and shot the customer in the chest, according to police.
A second eyewitness gave a similar account, saying they saw Robertson ask employees to speak with the manager.
The witness told detectives that the customer was “possibly asking for mayonnaise packets” when Mackey came outside and said, “Oh, I am p—-,” before shooting him in the chest.
According to the affidavit, footage from the Checkers location shows Mackey climbing out of the drive-through window and walking to the front of the business, where the victim was. Robertson was also seen falling to the ground.
Robertson was then taken to a nearby hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, police said.
Both witnesses say Mackey fled the scene on foot. Authorities eventually discovered him hiding under a stairwell at a nearby hotel.
As he was handcuffed, Mackey allegedly told deputies, “I have a gun on me,” and a weapon was later discovered on his person, according to the affidavit.
During his arrest, the Kissimmee native appeared to inquire about Robertson’s status, allegedly saying to deputies, “Is dude okay?” Several times, the affidavit stated.
On Thursday, May 22, the day after the incident, the OCSO’s Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Mackey.
Mackey was later charged with first-degree premeditated murder and booked into Osceola County Jail. He made his first court appearance on Friday, May 23.
Mackey is still behind bars. It is unclear whether he has legal representation who can comment on his behalf.
A spokesperson for Checkers told PEOPLE, “We are shocked and saddened by the incident that occurred last night at our restaurant in Kissimmee, Florida.”
“The actions of this one employee do not reflect the values of the thousands of our hardworking employees across the country,” according to the spokesperson. “We are working closely with the police in their investigation, and we are sending our thoughts and prayers to the guest’s family.”