'I wanted people to see his face': Witness who recorded alleged McDonald's assault says suspect just 'lost it'
Kate Rebel wants people to watch the full one minute and 21 seconds of video.
Rebel, who didn’t want to use her real last name, recorded a troubling encounter Tuesday afternoon that appears to show a customer verbally berating, then physically attacking staff at a Richmond McDonald’s.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Rebel told CTV News on Thursday.
“Once he whipped the garbage can over (the counter), I think it clicked it to what was happening. It’s really scary,” she added.
The video, which Rebel posted on TikTok, appears to show the customer arguing with staff about his order, which she said she overheard was a Happy Meal.
In the video, a worker tells the man they plan to give him a refund.
He approaches the counter, then shoves over a plexiglass barrier.
A few seconds later, the video shows the man hurl the garbage can over, then destroy a refrigerated display case, sending glass everywhere, Rebel said.
“He didn’t seem intoxicated or on anything,” she added. “He just kind of lost it.”
Police arrested 30-year-old William David Scott Jolly, of Delta, who now faces charges that include mischief, assault with a weapon and assault of a peace officer.
Richmond Mounties – who said they’re seeing an uptick in confrontational, aggressive behaviour from customers directed at front-line workers – say they’re looking into whether mental health may have played a role.
“Clearly this man was not only resistant, he was combative with our officers,” said Cpl. Ian Henderson. “His reaction is completely disproportional.”
Two workers and two officers suffered minor injuries, Henderson added. All are doing OK.
“This incident was quite traumatic for everyone involved,” Henderson said, calling the suspect’s behaviour “totally inappropriate.”
Henderson declined to discuss Rebel’s video directly, pointing to the fact such videos were now part of a criminal investigation.
Rebel said she posted the video of the suspect because she “wanted to people to see his face, to see what he did, to see how awful it was.”
Jolly has been released on bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.