Nationwide — Rodney Wooden, a 22-year-old Popeyes supervisor in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been charged with first-degree tried homicide after allegedly capturing a fellow worker throughout a heated argument over burnt biscuits. Wooden was arrested on the night of Sunday, Could 11, and now faces expenses together with tried first-degree homicide and assault with a lethal weapon with intent to kill, based on arrest information from Mecklenburg County.
In response to Individuals, the incident unfolded at a Popeyes restaurant positioned on South Boulevard, the place a verbal dispute between Wooden and one other supervisor reportedly escalated in entrance of consumers. A police affidavit, cited by WBTV, states that the disagreement centered round biscuits that had been allegedly burned through the shift. A witness advised authorities the confrontation turned bodily after the 2 stepped outdoors, the place one reportedly “challenged” the opposite.
In the course of the altercation, Wooden allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot his coworker twice at shut vary. Courtroom paperwork point out that surveillance footage from the scene seems to indicate Wooden firing two pictures at point-blank vary. The sufferer, whose id has not been launched, sustained gunshot wounds to the groin and chest and was rushed to Atrium Well being Carolinas Medical Heart, the place he underwent emergency surgical procedure.
Following the capturing, Wooden reportedly fled the restaurant however was discovered shortly afterward in the identical procuring heart. Upon being taken into custody, he allegedly advised police that his coworker had punched him 3 times within the face, prompting him to fireside what he described as “two warning pictures.” Nonetheless, investigators concluded that Wooden didn’t current a sound case for self-defense below state regulation.
In response to native outlet WCNC, each people concerned had been managers on the Popeyes location. Authorities say using lethal power on this state of affairs couldn’t be justified, as Wooden didn’t display any rapid menace to his life that will legally allow him to open fireplace. The capturing shocked each prospects and workers who witnessed the occasion unfold throughout common enterprise hours.
As of Could 17, Wooden stays in custody with bond set at $50,000. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Workplace has not but responded to media requests for additional remark. The investigation is ongoing, and the situation of the sufferer following surgical procedure has not been publicly up to date.
