Taco Bell Worker Opens Fire Over Soda Dispute, Police Say

A West Palm Beach Taco Bell employee is behind bars after allegedly shooting at customers who filled a water cup with soda.

The incident occurred around lunchtime Monday at the Taco Bell on 45th Street. According to police, D’Mari Patterson, 20, gave customers a water cup, then confronted them when he noticed they’d filled it with soda instead.

The argument escalated until another employee stepped in to separate Patterson from the group. A bystander began recording on their phone, capturing Patterson yelling before the sound of a gun being racked and a single shot rang out.

One customer fled outside. Patterson followed and fired a second round that missed the victim but shattered a restaurant window. All three customers left for a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

Patterson called 911 himself, claiming a customer had jumped behind the register, prompting him to draw his weapon. He also told officers he thought the victims were armed and that they could “get jiggy.” Surveillance footage, however, did not support his self-defense claim.

Patterson was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.