An employee of the Checkers fast food chain in Florida has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting a customer during a drive-thru altercation.
Elijah Travis Mackey, 23, is accused of shooting a customer identified by police as Wesley Robertson after he began complaining about his order.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, police were called out to a shooting incident at the Checkers restaurant at 5780 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, at approximately 10.10pm on May 21, 2025. A statement on Facebook read: "The investigation revealed that while working, Elijah Mackey engaged in a verbal dispute with Wesley Robertson regarding his food order. The confrontation escalated, leading Elijah Mackey to shoot Wesley Robertson. The victim was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries."
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According to People, an eyewitness told authorities that the victim began complaining about his order to a female employee at the drive-thru food pickup window and requested to speak with a manager several times. While the customer was still at the window, a male employee - later identified as Mackey - came around the side of the restaurant and began an argument with Robertson.
The bystander said that Robertson then insulted him, calling him either a “bitch” or “p----", at which point the employee allegedly produced a small handgun from his waistband and shot the customer in the chest.
A second eye-witness told authorities that the customer was “possibly asking for mayonnaise packets” when Mackey came outside and said: “Oh, I am p----,” and shot the customer in the chest.
Robertson was taken to hospital, where he died, and meanwhile the employee fled the scene on foot, and authorities found him hiding under a stairwell at a nearby hotel. As he was being handcuffed, Mackey allegedly told deputies, “I have a gun on me,” and a weapon was later recovered on his person.
Mackey has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and remains behind bars at the Osceola County Jail. He made his first court appearance on Friday, May 23.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Checkers said, “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,” the spokesperson continued. “We are working closely with the police in their investigation, and we are sending our thoughts and prayers to the guest's family."
FOODBible has contacted Checkers for comment.
Rachael Davis