Inset: Anthony Markeith Elliott III (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation). Background: The McDonald’s where Elliott allegedly brandished a pistol at a family waiting for food in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Google Maps).
A Florida woman says she defended her family from a would-be spat of violence during a recent fast food experience gone horribly awry.
Anthony Markeith Elliott III, 19, stands accused of aggravated assault with a firearm, according to Miami-Dade County court records.
The underlying incident occurred around half past midnight on Nov. 2, at a McDonald’s drive-thru on Northwest 183rd Street in Miami Gardens — a large suburb located some 16 miles north of Miami proper.
What started out as a simple trip for a late-night meal slowly turned into a nightmare, according to the Miami Gardens Police Department.
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“The victims had come to the McDonald’s to pick up their online food order and stated that they had been there a long time waiting for their food,” an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime reads. “They stated that the defendant, who is the cashier at the window, began giving them attitude and argued with them. They stated that they argued back and forth, and then the defendant stated he would come outside. And then came outside and flashed them a gun on his waist band.”
The victim herself discussed how the night slowly unfolded before the fracas in comments to Miami-based independent TV station WPLG.
Chayton Timmons told the TV station they were waiting “over an hour” for the pre-ordered food – leading to the argument with, and allegedly stubborn attitude from, the eventual defendant.
“We looking at each other, me and my goddaughter looking at each other, like, ‘Why are you upset?’ And he was like, ‘I don’t have to give you nothing,'” Timmons said. “He was like, ‘What you said (expletive)? What you said (expletive)?’ And we were like, ‘Are you serious?’ Like, what’s really going on? So he clutched at his waist.”
That clutching motion did not deter the alleged victims, however it did lead to a hold-up of sorts, according to law enforcement.
“They continued arguing with him and then he approached the car and pulled the gun from his waistband and pointed it at them in the car,” the affidavit goes on. “They described the handgun as a silver handgun with a black grip.”
The woman recounted her quick thinking in response to the threat.
“I got on the phone with the cops,” Timmons told WPLG. “I said, ‘This is going to go one of two ways, Miami Gardens Police Department: Y’all need to get here to McDonald’s, because somebody finna die.'”
Timmons, for her part, previously survived a shooting – showing her wounded leg to local WPLG reporter Rosh Lowe.
“He has a death wish,” Timmons went on, referring to the cashier. “He must have a death wish. This has got to be a suicide. Because it’s no way I’m finna allow you to do anything bodily harm to mine.”
The reporter then interjected: “All over McNuggets!”
Timmons offered a slight clarification: “All over McChicken.”
She then covered her face with her hand as if to laugh at the absurdity of the situation: “He must want to have a McFuneral to put my kids in harm’s way and that’s a problem for me. I’m not that type of girl, I’m not that type of woman and I’m not the type of parent.”
Police say there was no doubt about events that night.
“When we confronted the defendant, he admitted to pulling out the firearm and advised us where he had stored it inside the store,” the affidavit continues. “The gun matched the description given to us by the victims. The witness, who is the store manager, also advised us what had occurred, and all three stories matched.”
Elliott posted $1,000 bond on Tuesday.
