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The phrase “Don’t Mess with Texas” took on a fresh layer of meaning when a quick-thinking employee at a burger joint became an instant internet sensation. This happened after he bravely defended himself against an alleged attacker using nothing more than a fry basket and a trash can.
The dramatic showdown, which was captured on a customer’s cellphone, quickly went viral, thrusting the Whataburger location in Paris, Texas, into the spotlight. The spontaneous footage shows the tense moment as it unfolded, capturing both the chaos and the courage of the employee.
Onlookers, including witness Billy Jones, who spoke with Fox News’ affiliate KDFW, described the scene. Jones recounted how, during a routine meal, a man dressed entirely in black stormed into the restaurant and began assaulting an unsuspecting worker.
In a swift response, the fast-food worker, armed only with a wire fry basket, defended himself by striking the intruder on the head, successfully bringing him down. This act of self-defense not only subdued the situation but also highlighted the employee’s quick reflexes and resourcefulness in the face of danger.
According to Jones, a fast food employee jumped into action and struck the man on the head with a wire fry basket, knocking him to the ground.
Jones told the local outlet that he began recording as the manager followed suit — using a trash can to repeatedly strike the suspect.
The employee repeatedly smacked the alleged attacker with the trash can as other employees called for help. (Billy Jones )
In the viral video, employees can be heard shouting for someone to press the panic button. The suspect eventually fled the building as workers called 911. According to police, Anthony William Newhuis, 41, of Spring, Texas, was arrested following the incident.
Cars wait in the drive-thru line at a Whataburger. (iStock)
He was found in the back parking lot of the burger joint bleeding from his head, according to a press release from the Paris Police Department. After receiving the details of the incident, Newhuis was arrested and charged with assault resulting in bodily injury and public intoxication.
He was taken to a medical facility for treatment of his injury and then placed in jail. While in jail, police said, Newhuis flooded the cells intentionally and was subsequently charged with criminal mischief less than $750.
“At Whataburger, guest and employee security are a top priority. We take incidents such as this seriously and are fully cooperating with authorities,” a spokesperson for the company told Fox News Digital.
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