Wendy’s Manager Allegedly Shoots Customer During Drive-Thru Dispute Over Chicken Order, Conceals Weapon in Walk-In Freezer: Police Report

A Wendy’s manager in Missouri is facing serious charges after allegedly shooting a customer following a dispute at the drive-thru. Despite the incident being reportedly captured on video, the manager initially denied using a firearm.

Terrence R. Phillips, 47, has been charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, according to a statement from the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.

The incident unfolded on March 20 around 11:30 p.m. when Kansas City police responded to a call about a shooting at the Wendy’s located on North Oak Trafficway. Upon arrival, officers discovered a customer suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Before the victim was transported to a hospital, he identified the shooter as a man who seemed to be a manager at the restaurant.

The victim recounted to police that he had left his home to grab food for his family. As he approached the drive-thru intercom to place his order, an employee instructed him to proceed to the window, which left him puzzled. Seeking clarification, he encountered what he described as a “rude response” from Phillips, which continued even as he reached the window.

After receiving his order, which included drinks in a holder, the victim drove off, only for the drinks to spill. Frustrated, he circled back to address the issue but was reportedly met with a lack of cooperation from the staff, leading to the confrontation.

He then saw Phillips standing outside. Phillips allegedly pulled out a gun and shot him in the shoulder, with the bullet exiting through his chest.

According to the affidavit, surveillance video from the restaurant showed Phillips walk outside to the parking lot and to his car. There was a “faint image of a muzzle flash” before Phillips walked back into the restaurant, apparently carrying a gun in his left pocket, cops wrote. Officers say they later recovered the gun from the walk-in freezer.

After receiving his Miranda warnings, Phillips allegedly explained he had the victim pull up to the window because they have to cook the chicken fresh when it’s toward the end of the night. He said he gave the victim food and they “exchanged words,” cops wrote. Phillips said the man returned to the window and “started yelling racial slurs at him,” the affidavit stated.

Phillips said he noticed the hatch on his car was open so he walked outside to close it. The man drove up to Phillips, who allegedly told him to “get the f— on.”

“Phillips stated that he did not shoot anyone, does not know anything about a gun or why there would be a gun that was recovered in the restaurant,” cops wrote.

Officers took Phillips to the Clay County Jail, where he remains on a $1 million bond. He has a hearing set for March 31.