A simple food order turned into a deadly confrontation outside a Checkers restaurant in Kissimmee, Florida, leaving a community shocked and a family grieving.
Police say the shooting happened late Tuesday night, May 21, after 39-year-old Wesley Robertson visited the Checkers drive-thru. What started as a request for extra mayonnaise spiraled into a heated dispute that ended with a gunshot.
The man now facing murder charges is 23-year-old Elijah Mackey, a Checkers employee who police say stepped outside during the argument and shot Robertson in the chest.
A Fight Over Condiments Turns Violent
According to witnesses and security footage, Robertson was upset about his order and asked for more mayonnaise. He reportedly demanded to speak with a manager and exchanged words with Mackey at the drive-thru window.
What happened next left everyone stunned.
Mackey, instead of staying inside the restaurant, allegedly climbed out of the drive-thru window and walked toward Robertson, who was still outside. Witnesses said the argument got personal, with insults being thrown back and forth. Then, without warning, Mackey pulled out a gun and shot Robertson.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and took Robertson to a nearby hospital, but he didn’t survive.
Suspect Tracked Down Nearby
After the shooting, Mackey ran from the scene. Police found him a short time later hiding under a stairwell at a nearby hotel. He was still armed when officers approached him. Authorities say he immediately told them he had a gun on him. That weapon was later recovered and is believed to be the one used in the shooting.
Mackey is now being held in the Osceola County Jail and faces a charge of first-degree murder. He made his first court appearance on Thursday morning.
Company Responds to Tragedy
Checkers released a brief statement expressing heartbreak over the incident and said they are fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“We are shocked and saddened by what happened,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, and we are committed to working with authorities to get to the bottom of this.”
The company added that the actions of the employee do not reflect their values or expectations of staff behavior.
Loved Ones in Mourning
Friends and family of Wesley Robertson describe him as a kind, funny man who was always quick with a joke and fiercely loyal to his loved ones. What hurts most, they say, is the senseless nature of the shooting — over something as small as a sauce packet.
“Wesley didn’t deserve this,” one family member said. “To think he lost his life just trying to get his order right is heartbreaking.”
Violence in the Workplace: A Growing Concern
Sadly, this isn’t the first time a customer-service interaction has ended in violence. In recent years, fast-food and retail workers across the country have reported rising tensions with customers, sometimes leading to assaults or worse.
Experts say more needs to be done to train employees on de-escalation tactics and handle customer disputes safely. Others argue it highlights a bigger issue about how easily minor conflicts can turn deadly when firearms are involved.
What’s Next
Mackey remains in custody without bond as prosecutors prepare for a possible trial. If convicted of first-degree murder, he could face life in prison or the death penalty under Florida law.
Meanwhile, the Kissimmee community is still coming to terms with the fact that what should’ve been a routine food run ended with a life lost and another forever changed.
