Keith Johnson Jr., 21, is alleged to have threatened the customer with the gun during a shift at a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant on the main Louisiana State University (LSU) campus on Saturday night.
In a statement sent by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO) to Newsweek, three people notified officers at about 11 p.m. that an employee had threatened them with a firearm.
The EBRSO statement read: “Uniformed EBRSO deputies standing outside the Wendy’s restaurant were contacted by two female subjects and one male subject who stated a subject inside the restaurant (the defendant) was threatening them with a gun.
“Deputies entered the restaurant, contacted the defendant and found the defendant holding a small bag with an extended magazine visibly sticking out.
“Officers took the defendant into custody and searched him incidental to arrest.
During Johnson Jr.’s arrest, police found a gun and marijuana inside his bag.
Officers later charged Johnson Jr. with carrying a gun in a firearm-free zone, aggravated assault and simple possession of marijuana.
Johnson Jr. has since been booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
Police also told WVLA: “One victim stated she was engaged in a verbal argument with the manager, when the defendant, an employee, walked to the back and returned with a bag.”
Campus police were also notified about the alleged incident on its grounds.
Newsweek has connected LSU and for comment.
There have been numerous cases where both customers and workers have pulled firearms out while inside fast-food restaurants.
In April, a Burger King worker allegedly pulled a gun on customers at a drive-thru in Michigan.
Dustin Rocheleau was accused of pulling the firearm on three customers in Livonia on April 28 following an argument about their payment method.
Officers said Rocheleau had been working at the restaurant’s drive-thru at 29211 Seven Mile Road when he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the customers.
The customers then quickly pulled away shortly after Rocheleau allegedly pulled the gun on them, Livonia Police said.
No one was injured during the incident and the gun was not fired.
Livonia Police said on Facebook: “At the time of the incident, Rocheleau was working the drive-thru when it is alleged he pointed a handgun at three customers after a disagreement over the method of payment. The customers sped off and notified Livonia Police.
“Rocheleau fled the Burger King on foot and was subsequently located by officers nearby. A handgun was recovered from his backpack and he was arrested without incident.”
